Can I deduct the costs of my further education from my taxes?
January 28, 2024 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Dietrich Hohenadel
Dear Tax Advisor,
My name is Phillip Hohenberg and I work as a Marketing Manager in a medium-sized company. In my job, it is important to always stay up to date and continuously educate myself in order to meet the demands of the rapidly changing market. Therefore, in the last few years, I have attended various training courses to expand my knowledge and skills.
Now I am wondering if I can deduct the costs of my further education from my taxes. The training courses have not only been financially demanding, but also time-consuming. It would be a great relief for me if I could at least claim a portion of the costs on my taxes.
I have heard about the possibility of deducting training costs from taxes, but I am unsure if and to what extent this applies to me. I have carefully kept all receipts and invoices and could provide them to you if necessary.
Could you please tell me if and to what extent I can deduct the costs of my further education from taxes? Are there specific requirements that I must meet to claim the training costs on my taxes? What documents are needed for this and how should I proceed to take advantage of the tax benefit?
Thank you in advance for your support and I look forward to your response.
Best regards,
Phillip Hohenberg
Dear Mr. Hohenberg,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the tax deductibility of further education costs. I am pleased that you are actively seeking to expand your knowledge and skills in order to meet the demands of the constantly changing job market.
In general, it is possible to deduct further education costs for tax purposes. These can be claimed as business expenses in your tax return. The requirement for this is that the further education measure is work-related and improves or maintains your professional knowledge and skills. This means that the further education must be related to your current or desired professional activity.
The costs of further education measures can typically be fully deducted as business expenses. This includes course fees, professional literature, exam fees, transportation costs, overnight accommodation costs, and additional meal expenses. Costs for work equipment needed for the further education, such as a laptop or software, can also be claimed.
It is important that you carefully keep all receipts and invoices and can provide them when needed. The required documents include not only invoices but also certificates of participation, program brochures, or seminar materials that prove the professional relevance of the further education measure.
To fully benefit from the tax advantage, I recommend that you include the costs of your further education in your tax return. You can use the appropriate form for business expenses and enter the costs there. If you are unsure about whether certain costs are deductible or what documents are needed, you can consult a tax advisor or contact the tax office.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Dietrich Hohenadel
Tax Advisor
