Self-education expenses: some thoughts for taxpayers and their advisers

Abstract

With the advent of another tax year, the nature and form of self-education expenses come to mind. The income tax return for individuals makes a perceived distinction between forms of education for tax purposes but it may not be that clear for taxpayers and their advisers. Item D4 of the individual tax return allows for taxpayers to make a claim for work related self-education expenses that relate to formal qualifications from a school, college or university. The individual tax return implies that there is a distinction between formal self-education and informal self-education. However when one looks at the relevant Australian Tax Office (ATO) material, this distinction could easily be overlooked.