Private ruling: Self-education expenses
Date of advice: 10 December 2018
Published: March 2019
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 2018 | Year ending 30 June 2019
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2017

Ruling: Q1: Are the course fees paid in connection with the first three modules of the self-education course an allowable deduction? | A1: Yes. Your self-education expenses are deductible, the study meets the requirements detailed in Taxation Ruling TR 98/9. Further information about self- education expenses can be found by searching 'QC 31970' on ato.gov.au

Relevant facts and circumstances: You are a currently employed on a full time basis, having commenced in early 20XX. You have chosen to undertake a self-education course, of which all of the individual subjects all relate to your current employment. You have also chosen to undertake the self-education course in order to gain a better understanding of relevant concepts in order to assist you in your current employment role, and to also to increase both your skills in your current role and future career advancement opportunities. You have undertaken and completed the two of the subjects from the self-education course, and you have incurred the cost of each course fee in that financial year. In the following financial year you have undertaken and completed one other subject from the self-education course and you have incurred the cost of each course fee in that financial year. You intend on undertaking the remaining subjects in the self-education course, however you have not yet commenced or paid for these subjects. You intend on remaining working with your current employer once you have completed the self-education course, and you have no plans to work for any other employers. You have not been reimbursed for any of the study expenditure you have incurred, and you are not receiving any government assistance (HECS).

Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 8-1