Private ruling: Self Education Expenses
Date of advice: 28 July 2017
Published: November 2017
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 2017
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2016.

Ruling: Q1:  | A1: Yes. Section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 allows a deduction for all losses and outgoings to the extent to which they are incurred in gaining or producing assessable income except where the outgoings are of a capital, private or domestic nature, or relate to the earning of exempt income. Taxation Ruling TR 98/9 discusses the circumstances under which self-education expenses are allowable as a deduction. A deduction is allowable for self-education expenses if a taxpayer's current income-earning activities are based on the exercise of a skill or some specific knowledge and the subject of the self-education enables the taxpayer to maintain or improve that skill or knowledge ( Federal Commissioner of Taxation v. Finn (1961) 106 CLR 60, (1961) 12 ATD 348. It is considered that the graduate certificate is sufficiently relates to and improved upon the skills you use in your current income producing activities.

Relevant facts and circumstances: You enrolled in a post graduate certificate in the year ended 30 June 2017. You have provided enrolment details. You received accreditation from your professional experience in your current income producing position and completed 3 units of study during the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 in order to complete the requirements of the graduate certificate. You incurred cost for the 3 units of study. You have provided payment receipt details. You have stated that you are not likely to obtain a promotion or accept a new or different employment position as a result of this study. You have stated that you do not intend to travel overseas to perform new duties as a result of this study. You have stated the primary reason for undertaking this study was to maintain and further develop the skills you use in your current employment position in a specialist team.

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