Deduct tuition as an expense?

[davklus3]

I am a Pastor. I am taking courses that are required by the church to maintain and improve my skills. For the past two years, Turbo tax has filed the AO and LL credit as I never used them before. Can I also deduct tuition as an expense as well?

[Vanessa]

It depends. If you are a W2 employee of the church, then no, you cannot deduct this as job-related expenses are no longer deductible under the new tax laws and the tuition and fees deduction was not renewed so that is no longer available.

If you are a Statutory employee or 1099 worker then yes, this would be deductible as a business-related expense as this maintains or improves your current job skills. 

The only nonbusiness education tax benefits that are currently available are the AOTC and LLC

Also, if you take one of those credits, you can NOT use the same expenses to deduct as business expenses.