John M. Hoffman & Associates CPAs

Frequently Asked Tax Questions

Education as a miscellaneous itemized deduction.

If you are not self employed, and all else fails for deducting education expenses, perhaps they are deductible as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. This deduction is a “trade or business” expense and has the same criteria as that for self employed individuals. Generally your education to qualify under this type of deduction must not qualify a person for a new profession. Education required to maintain your profession (continuing professional education for example) are deductible under this category.

As a miscellaneous itemized deduction, these expenses fall into that category that need to exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income and are preference items for the alternative minimum tax.