Private ruling: Self-education expenses
Date of advice: 8 December 2021
Published: March 2022
Ruling period: Year Ended 30 June 20XX | Year Ended 30 June 20XX | Year Ended 30 June 20XX | Year Ended 30 June 20XX
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 20XX

Ruling: Q1: Can you claim self-education expenses as a deduction under Section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997)? | A1: Yes. It is clear that the course you have undertaken has enhanced the skills that are required in the performance of your current employment duties. The self-education expenses incurred in undertaking the course have sufficient connection with the earning of your assessable income and are therefore deductible under section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997

Relevant facts and circumstances: You work as a manager. You started working for your current employer prior to commencing your degree. You have maintained employment for this employer the entire time. You have a senior role in the company you work for which extends beyond your primary role description. Other duties you have been responsible for include managing the delivery of projects and mitigating organisational risks. You work directly alongside the company director and are involved in strategic decisions and project oversight. You studied from 20XX to 20XX through a University. You studied units that all related to your ongoing employment. You paid for the cost of these units using FEE-HELP loans.

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