Deduction for bar membership

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
April 1, 2021
2 replies
39 views

I want to find out how to deduct fees I paid for state bar membership for my law license. Can you help me find out where I enter this information? Thanks.

DavidD66

Level 15

If you are self-employed you would would report it with your business expenses on Schedule C. If you are a W-2 employee, it is not deductible.

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Opus 17

Level 15

You can't deduct the cost of education, training or certification to meet the minimum qualifications for your job, so if this was your first year, it's not deductible at all, even as a schedule C business expense. You can deduct the costs of maintaining or improving your skills, so membership renewal would be a deductible expense.

None of these expenses are deductible on your federal return if you are an employee/paid on a W-2.