No, you cannot claim a business or work-related deduction if the exam prepares you for a new trade or profession. However, you may qualify for a Lifetime Learning Credit.
Per IRS,
The costs of education, including tuition, fees, books, and other learning materials are deductible business expenses only if the education:
- helps maintain or improve skills required in your existing business, or
- is required by law or regulation to maintain your professional standing.
If you are already in the real estate industry, you may be able to deduct only if the exam does not advance you to a new profession. You can deduct if it helps to maintain or improve skills required for your current position. This rule applies even where a licensed real estate agent, salesperson, or sales associate pay for education to pass the state exam to become a real estate broker.
If you do not qualify for the deduction and want to claim an education credit, please follow these steps:
In TurboTax online and desktop edition,
1. After sign into your account and select Take me to my return
2. At the right upper corner, in the search box, type in 1098t and Enter
3. Select Jump to form 1098T
4. On screen, "Do you want to enter your higher education expenses?" answer Yes.
5. Go through the step-by-step interview questions
6. On screen, "Did you get a 1098-T from school for 2017?" answer No. Follow prompts to enter your info.
