Can You Deduct Business Education On Your Taxes? (2024)

Did you know you can deduct educational expenses from your business taxes? Yep, those business books and courses are tax deductible (with a few exceptions, of course). Here’s what business education you can deduct from your taxes and how to make smart educational investments.

How Investing In Education Can Help You Scale Your Business

Can You Deduct Business Education On Your Taxes? (1)

When I first started my business, I invested in so much education. Courses, books, coaching, you name it–if I had even a sliver of hope that it could help me scale my business, I clicked “add to cart.”

Looking back, not all of those resources panned out. But the ones that did have helped me create a team, scale my business, and feel more confident in my role as CEO. Here’s how investing in your education can do the same for you.

It helps you learn the basics.

I’m a huge proponent for learning as you go, but that can be intimidating when you’re first starting out. Investing in a beginners’ program at the start can help you learn the absolute basics, like registering your business, paying yourself, and finding clients.

It gives you a community.

The online business world is huge, but it can be incredibly lonely. Many programs and courses involve a group element where you can meet and grow alongside fellow business owners. The friends I made in my first few programs have become the foundation of my online community, and I don’t think I would have made it this far without them!

It teaches you what not to do.

Not every program is going to work out. But even the ones that don’t stick can teach you about yourself and your work. You’ll learn how others run their businesses, what kinds of mistakes they’ve made along the way, and what just doesn’t feel right to you. Part of honing in on your ideal business is figuring out what you don’t want. Every new experience is a learning opportunity!

What Kinds of Education Can Business Owners Deduct?

According to the IRS, self-employed business owners can deduct any form of business education that either…

  1. Maintains or improves skills needed in your present work or

  2. A law requires to keep your present salary, status or job

The exceptions are programs that help you enter a new field (say a course on hairdressing if you’re currently a mechanic) or that help you meet the minimum requirements for your current field (like the course you have to take to become a hairdresser in the first place).

For most business owners, educational deductions fall into one of two categories:

  • Courses and programs, like online classes, group coaching programs, and bonus certifications.

  • Books, magazines, and other materials that keep you up-to-date on industry trends or help you improve your craft.

If you’re not sure if your investment is deductible, check out this handy tool from the IRS.

How to Choose Worthwhile Education Investments

Just because you can deduct education doesn’t mean you should rush out and buy every course you see. Before you invest, ask yourself these questions:

“Do I have time for this?”

If you’re currently buried in client work, chances are you won’t find the time to complete an online course. Instead, work on automating your workflows and building a team, which will create more time for education and pursuing new ideas.⁠

“Will it pay for itself, and when?”

Most online business courses promise to make you more money than you spent on them. But how often is that true? It’s hard to say, but before you invest, sit down and calculate how many new clients it would take to pay off the course and how long it would take you to convert those new clients. That’ll help you make a smarter spending decision.⁠

“Is it aligned with my values and goals?”

Look, there’s no one way to run a business. Even if a course promises it can make you a millionaire, it’ll never work if it doesn't feel aligned with who you are and how you want to run your business. There are so many resources out there, and I guarantee there are plenty that feel good to you, so don’t settle.⁠

Do it yourself, but don’t do it alone.

Even the most DIY-savvy business owner needs support from time to time. That’s why we’ve created The CASH Club, a community for entrepreneurs who want to DIY their financial management without going in blind. (PS: You can deduct this!) Click here to learn more and join today.

Want more tips like these? Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter! (and don't forget to follow along on IG @prettypennyaccounting)

Feeling unsure or worried about the accounting side of your business? Download this free guide with 3 steps to financial confidence in your business.

Ready to hand over your accounting? Download my services guide and let's work together!

Can You Deduct Business Education On Your Taxes? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Deduct Business Education On Your Taxes? ›

You can deduct the costs of qualifying work-related education as business expenses. This is education that meets at least one of the following two tests: The education is required by your employer or the law to keep your present salary, status or job.

Can I write off education as a business expense? ›

This is true even if the education maintains or improves skills currently required in your business. You can deduct: Tuition, books, and fees. Equipment and other expenses associated with obtaining the education — Ex: You can deduct research and typing expenses you incur while writing a paper for a class.

How much can you claim for education expenses on taxes? ›

Please see www.IRS.gov for more information. The American Opportunity Tax Credit can be claimed for expenses for the first four years of post-secondary education. It is a tax credit of up to $2,500 of the cost of qualified tuition and related expenses paid during the taxable year.

Can MBA tuition be tax deductible? ›

California residents can deduct tuition and fees in 2019. Since it is allowed on the federal return and no adjustment for it is mentioned in the instructions for California form 540, it is also allowed on the California return.

Is private school tuition tax deductible IRS? ›

Key Takeaways. Under federal tax law, private school tuition isn't tax deductible unless your child is attending a private school for special needs. If a physician's referral proves that your child requires access to special needs private education, the expenses could qualify as deductible medical expenses.

Does the IRS ask for proof of school expenses? ›

Yes. The Form 1098-T is a form provided to you and the IRS by an eligible educational institution that reports, among other things, amounts paid for qualified tuition and related expenses. The form may be useful in calculating the amount of the allowable education tax credits.

How do I get the full $2500 American Opportunity credit? ›

Be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential. Have qualified education expenses at an eligible educational institution. Be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period* beginning in the tax year. Not have finished the first four years of higher education at the beginning of the tax year.

What is a qualified education expense? ›

Qualified expenses are amounts paid for tuition, fees and other related expense for an eligible student that are required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution. You must pay the expenses for an academic period* that starts during the tax year or the first three months of the next tax year.

Why am I not getting an education tax break? ›

You may not qualify for an education tax credit if you earn more than the income limits, if you didn't pay the educational expense you're claiming the credit for, if someone else can claim you as a dependent for tax purposes, or if your tax filing status is married filing separately.

Is a laptop a qualified education expense? ›

How can we help? For purposes of the education credits and tuition deduction, the cost of a computer qualifies as an education expense if it is needed as a condition of enrollment.

Can I write off my master's degree? ›

Simple answer: yes. Although W-2 employees can no longer deduct job expenses, including education, the self employed (Schedule C filers) still can. The general rule is: Educational expenses to improve your current job skills are deductible. But learning a new job is not.

How much tuition reimbursem*nt is tax-deductible? ›

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 127, employers can deduct up to $5,250 per employee for tuition reimbursem*nts made through qualified education assistance programs (EAPs). EAP benefits are also tax-free for employees, making them even more attractive as part of your benefits package.

Which of the following individuals can deduct education expenses? ›

You may be able to deduct the cost of work-related education expenses paid during the year if you're: A self-employed individual. An Armed Forces reservist. A qualified performing artist.

Can you write off education expenses? ›

Although key education expenses like tuition and fees are no longer tax deductible, you might be able to claim a credit by using the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit.

How do I calculate my education tax credit? ›

How to Calculate it. The credit itself is calculated as the sum of, 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified education expenses paid for the eligible student plus an additional 25% of the next $2,000 (25% of $2,000 = $500) for a total maximum claim of $2,500 per student per year.

What is the IRS education credit? ›

Education credits are amounts that will reduce the amount of tax due. The amount is based on qualified education expenses that the taxpayer paid during the tax year. There are two different education credits: the American opportunity credit and the lifetime learning credit.

Can graduate school be a business expense? ›

Some decisive factors are used in determining whether the graduate degree qualifies for business expense deduction will generally include all of the following; You (taxpayer) were already established in your job or business; The graduate degree maintains or improves the skills used in your current job or business; and.

Can you write off college visits? ›

No, Travel expenses for College Visits are not Deductible.

Can you write off college application fees? ›

In other words, there is no tax benefit for simply applying to enter a college. However, many benefits are available, beginning when your application has been accepted and after you enroll to begin your studies.

What is the IRS rule for tuition reimbursem*nt? ›

Under section 127, the total amount that an employee can exclude from gross income for payments of principal or interest on qualified education loans and other educational assistance combined is $5,250 per calendar year.

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