Private ruling: Self-education expenses
Date of advice: 6 June 2024
Published: 22 July 2024
Ruling period: Year ending XX XXXX 20YY
Date scheme commenced: XX XXXX 20YY

Ruling: Q1: Will you be entitled to a deduction for tuition fees incurred in studying the Information Technology (IT) course? | A1: Yes. Your self-education expenses will be deductible under section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 as they have a sufficient connection to your income earning activities. Further information about self-education expenses can be found in Taxation Ruling TR 2024/3 Income tax: deductibility of self-education expenses incurred by an individual .

Relevant facts and circumstances: You are employed full-time in an IT role. You have been employed by Company A in this role since XX XXXX 20YY. As part of your day to day duties in the role, you are required to write code. You intend to study a particular IT course. The course provider's website states that the core of the course is to teach the latest coding skills. Your employer has affirmed that the course will improve on skills and knowledge relevant to your current role. You intend to begin the course from XXXX to XXXX in 20YY and study a part time course load for XX months. Your reason for undertaking the course is to enable you to solidify your coding knowledge and assist you in taking on more complex coding tasks. You believe this course of education will result in an increase in your pay. The course fees are $XX. You will not receive Austudy, ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance. You have not received a taxable bonded scholarship. You will not receive an allowance or reimbursement for the expenses incurred for your study. You will pay the courses out of your own wages. You will not utilise the Higher Education Loan Program to pay for your education. You will not receive a Commonwealth supported place subsidy for this course of education.

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