Private ruling: Self-education expenses
Date of advice: 11 November 2024
Published: 13 January 2025
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 20XX | Year ended 30 June 20XX
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 20XX

Ruling: Q1: Are you entitled to a deduction for your course fees under section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997)? | A1: Yes. You are entitled to claim a deduction for your self-education expenses in the years the expenses were incurred. You have shown that there is sufficient connection between the course of self-education and your current income earning activities and it is accepted the study meets the requirements detailed in Taxation Ruling TR 2024/3 Income tax: deductibility of self-education expenses incurred by an individual.

Relevant facts and circumstances: In 20XX, you enrolled in a bachelor's degree at university. Your course concluded in 20XX. You commenced employment at Company A undertaking a vacation student program on Date one and completed the program on Date two. You were employed on a full-time basis. The role required the applicant to be a high school graduate with a background in your chosen field. From Date 3 you worked several days per week until university recommenced. This marked the end of the vacation program. On successful completion of the Vacation Student program, you were offered a cadetship on Date 4 which you accepted. Your cadetship commenced on Date 5 and concluded on Date 6. On Date 7, you were offered a role as a graduate in the same team you had undertaken the vacation program with. You accepted this role and have been employed as a junior with Company A since Date 8. You have provided a list of the duties you undertake in your employment. During the vacation role, you realised that Company A provides many other services besides those you were involved in during the vacation student program. You decided to deepen your knowledge in the relevant areas by taking specific units to improve your understanding and performance at Company A. You have incurred self-education expenses consisting of course fees for the subjects you studied: You have included a description of the units of study you undertook and an explanation of how each unit relates to your employment. You paid all of the course fees yourself and were not reimbursed by your employer.

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