I am a real estate appraiser. I had to take courses in a different state for my certification for work. I went twice, the first time I went it cost me $5,000 (between flights/hotel/tuition/food/car) These courses are through the appraisal institute and only help me if I am a real estate appraiser. My boss agreed to help me when I had to take one addditional course and paid the majority of my expenses for the second trip (flight/hotel/tuition). However now our bookkeeper came up and said she thinks it was not a business expense that the business can deduct and that I might have to either pay the company back or that my boss can agree that the cost of the trip was a bonus and I pay taxes on it.
The course does help me receive certification in my job (and granted I could quit my job and take my certification elsewhere) and that is why she says she thought it wasn’t a business expense. If this is a legitimate expense how can I convince the bookkeeper?
2 Responses to “Is An Educational Course For Work A Legitimate Business Expense?”
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September 30th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Kick the bookkeeper to the curb. (Unless he’s your boss’s husband!) You had an agreement with the boss. It’s on her to figure out whether he gets a tax benefit or not BEFORE he agrees to reimburse you. If no benefit, he should eat it, not you. That’s how contracts work. The BKPR was not part of that deal, so tell her to stick it.
Now, there are different rules as to whether you can deduct or an employer can deduct educational expenses. For both him or you, it must be for employer’s benefit, not yours. For YOU to deduct it it must be neccesary for your current job AND does not qualify you for a new job.
Since the question is asked from the employer’s viewpoint, whether it qualifies you for a job is not a required test.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:23 am
I don’t see how that is not a business expence. I’d get some clerification the the reason for that.