Basic question: Can I deduct a certification course payment for a course that doesn't start until Apr. 2016, and if so, how? Could I deduct this initial registration fee as some kind of education expense?
I am very likely to be laid off from my job of 10 years in the next few months. I realized this likelihood last year, and decided to retrain in a different field. In Nov. 2015, I signed up for a certification course and made my first payment toward the remaining cost of the course. The total cost of the course will be paid via monthly payments in 2016.
Other details that may be important: The course itself starts in April and goes through Jan., 2017. It is not through a college or university, but the course and certification are required for the job I will do. I will most likely only start to be able to earn money with this new job in late 2016 or early 2017.
Thank you for any advice or insight!
