Are you going to school this fall to earn an advanced degree or to brush up on your work skills? If so, you might be able to deduct what you pay for tuition, books, and other supplies.
In general, when you’re self-employed or working for someone else, you can claim a deduction for out-of-pocket educational costs if the training is necessary to maintain your skills or is required by your employer.
A caution: Even when the education meets those two tests, if you’re qualified to work in a new trade or business when you’ve completed the course, your expenses are personal and nondeductible. That’s true even if you do not get a job in the new trade or business.
Because it’s often difficult to determine whether some degrees, such as an MBA, qualify you for a new trade or business, you’ll need to look at your specific situation to decide if you can claim a deduction. One useful test is to compare the work you were able to perform before the education to what you are qualified to perform afterward.
Work-related education expenses are an itemized deduction when you’re an employee and a business expense when you’re self-employed. You may also be eligible for other tax benefits, including the lifetime learning credit or the tuition and fees deduction. Please contact us if you would like details.
