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posted Jun 4, 2019 7:41:20 PM

I took college courses last spring & then worked both full-time & freelance. Can I attribute the cost of attendance/school fees as a deduction towards my freelance work?

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Level 3
Jun 4, 2019 7:41:21 PM

Probably not, the only way courses are eligible to be a business expense is if you are taking them to improve or maintain your current skills.  If they qualify you for a new trade or business, they are specifically excluded from being deductible as a business expense. 


To be deductible, your expenses must be for education that (1) maintains or improves your job skills or (2) a law requires to keep your status or occupation. However, even if the education meets either of these tests, the education can't be part of a program that will qualify you for a new trade or business or that you need to meet the minimal educational requirements of your trade or businesshttps://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc513

1 Replies
Level 3
Jun 4, 2019 7:41:21 PM

Probably not, the only way courses are eligible to be a business expense is if you are taking them to improve or maintain your current skills.  If they qualify you for a new trade or business, they are specifically excluded from being deductible as a business expense. 


To be deductible, your expenses must be for education that (1) maintains or improves your job skills or (2) a law requires to keep your status or occupation. However, even if the education meets either of these tests, the education can't be part of a program that will qualify you for a new trade or business or that you need to meet the minimal educational requirements of your trade or businesshttps://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc513