Making News: The 2026 SEED ACT
The SEED Act continues to make headlines! The bipartisan Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act became law in September 2026, marking a key bipartisan victory for early childhood educators and an important step forward for federal child care policy.
Recap: The SEED Act now allows early childhood educators to claim the same federal tax deduction for out-of-pocket classroom expenses currently available to K-12 teachers. The legislation was led by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA) and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH).
And it’s making news.
STATEMENT: SEED Act Passes Into Law
FFYF | 9/16/26
The bipartisan Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act is set to become law, marking a key bipartisan victory for early childhood educators and an important step forward for federal child care policy.
THE SLEEPER EDUCATION BILL
Politico | 9/21/26
“Despite tight personal budgets, it is truly remarkable how often teachers use money out of their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies for their students,” Collins said in a statement Thursday after House passage of the bill. “As the author of the original tax credit for K-12 teachers, I am delighted to help expand this benefit to pre-K educators.”
U.S. Senators Collins, Bennet Bipartisan Bill to Allow Early Childhood Educators to Deduct Out-of-Pocket Purchases of Classroom Supplies Signed Into Law
Sierra Sun Times | 9/21/26
“The SEED Act… expands the above-the-line $350 educator expense deduction, established for K-12 teachers in 2002 by legislation authored by Senator Collins, to also include pre-K and early childhood educators. This deduction helps offset hundreds of dollars teachers spend out of their own pockets each year on classroom supplies, books, and other learning materials.”
A Tax Break for Early Childhood Educators: Why This Policy Change Matters
Education Week | 9/23/26
“’Early educators play an essential role in giving young children a strong start and building the foundation for their future success. But for too long, they have been left out of a tax benefit available to their K-12 peers,’ said Sarah Rittling, the executive director of the First Five Years Fund.”
SEED Act signed into law, expanding tax deduction for early-childhood educators
Bay City News Service | 9/21/26
“Pre-K teachers routinely dip into their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies, but until now, they were denied the same educator expense deduction available to K-12 teachers,” Rep. Panetta said. “This new law closes that gap and recognizes the essential role early childhood educators play in giving our youngest learners a strong start.”
President Donald Trump Signs Bipartisan Bill Expanding Classroom Supplies Deduction to Early Childhood Educators
Maine Wire | 9/22/26
“Supporting the SEED Act were a number of education and child advocacy organizations, including the First Five Years Fund, Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Save the Children, the Center for American Progress, the American Federation of Teachers, Teach For America, and Trying Together.”
Preschool Teachers and Child Care Workers Win New Tax Break
Wall Street Journal | 9/18/26
“More than nine out of 10 early educators routinely spend their own money on classroom materials, despite earning significantly less than their K–12 counterparts…The new deduction would apply to expenses incurred starting Jan. 1, 2026. People who teach or care for children ages zero to five could claim the break for the first time when they file their 2026 tax returns next year.”
SEED Act will give early educators a basic tax break other teachers already get
Nebraska Examiner | 9/17/26
“By extending the educator tax deduction to early childhood educators, Congress has now taken an important step toward recognizing the essential role these [early childhood] educators play, offering a measure of support to a workforce that too often goes unsupported and unseen.
For More About the SEED Act
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