Can I deduct my further education costs from my taxes?
July 21, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Wolfgang Stricker
Dear tax advisor,
my name is Christine Dietrich and I work as a Marketing Manager in a medium-sized company. This year, I completed a part-time further education course on Online Marketing to expand my knowledge and skills in this area. The costs for this further education amounted to a total of 2,500 euros.
Now I am wondering if I can deduct these further education costs from my taxes. I have already heard that under certain conditions, further education costs are tax deductible, but I am not sure if my further education qualifies. It would be very helpful for me to know if I can include the costs for the further education in my tax return and what documents I need for that.
I am worried that I might miss an opportunity to save taxes if I cannot claim these costs. For this reason, I would like to know from you if there is a way to deduct the further education costs from my taxes and what steps I need to take.
Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Christine Dietrich
Dear Mrs. Dietrich,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the tax deductibility of further education expenses. As a Marketing Manager in a medium-sized company, you have surely recognized how important it is to continuously further your education in order to keep up with the latest developments in your field. The good news is that professional development costs are generally tax deductible, as long as they are related to your professional activities and serve to expand your knowledge and skills.
The further education you mentioned on Online Marketing definitely falls under this category and is therefore generally deductible as business expenses in your tax return. The costs of 2,500 euros can be claimed under certain conditions. You must be able to prove that the further education was indeed work-related and has enhanced your professional skills.
To report the further education costs in your tax return, you will typically need an invoice or payment confirmation for the costs of the further education. You should also be able to present a certificate of participation or a certificate indicating that you successfully completed the further education. These documents serve as proof to the tax office that the further education was work-related and therefore tax deductible.
It is important that you report the further education costs in the "Anlage N" section of your tax return under business expenses. There you can also list other work-related expenses such as professional literature, work materials, or travel expenses for further education. By taking these costs into account, you can reduce your tax burden and potentially save on taxes.
I hope this information helps you and answers your question. If you have any further questions or need assistance with your tax return, I am happy to help. Thank you for your trust and best regards,
Wolfgang Stricker, Tax Advisor
