Mandatory training for certification...deductible?

[Anonymous]

My wife took a few training classes this past year to maintain her certification.  My understanding is the training IS deductible but the fee to submit her certification IS NOT.  Is this correct?

[californiasteven]

Both of them sound like work related expenses to me.  Check out the IRS page on this, linked below.  I don't see anything that would exclude a submission fee when that is required for her work.  Even if it was helpful.

https://www.irs.gov/uac/employee-business-expenses-1

[californiasteven]

Gotta add that most people do not benefit from work related expenses anyway, unless they are over 2% of your joint AGI and you itemize.

[Anonymous]

The refunds go up by a whopping $29 combined.

[californiasteven]

Sounds about right to me.

[californiasteven]

I'm guessing the $29 was from an expense of $200 to $600 depending on your income level.  You don't get rich by paying work related expenses.