Private ruling: Self education expenses
Date of advice: 8 April 2019
Published: May 2019
Ruling period: Year ended 30 June 2018
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 2017

Ruling: Q1: Are you entitled to a deduction for self-education expenses? | A1: Yes Section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 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. Your study objectively leads to, or is likely to lead to an increase in a taxpayer's income from your current income earning activities in the future therefore the expenses is deductible.

Relevant facts and circumstances: This ruling is based on the facts stated in the description of the scheme that is set out below. If your circumstances are materially different from these facts, this ruling has no effect and you cannot rely on it. The fact sheet has more information about relying on your private ruling. You are a pilot and were made redundant by your employer. You then worked for an aero company. Your duties included aircraft training of other pilots, flight and safety operation instructional, and writing operation manuals for pilots. You completed a training course in a specific aircraft type. As a result of this training you secured a permanent fulltime position.

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