tax deductibility or exemption

[ennma]

Hello all, a quick question, would it be possible to write off the amount of money spent buying an "educational aid" goods such as a laptop on our taxes? I am a student by the way.

thanks

[Nigellus]

According to IRS Publication 970 (2005) relating to tax benefits for education, "expenses for course-related books, supplies, and equipment are included in qualified education expenses only if the fees and expenses must be paid to the institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance."

Thus, in order for an ordinary student (one not taking classes pursuant to one’s current job) to write off a laptop, it must be 1.) required for enrollment, and 2.) purchased from the university itself. So the answer to your question is most likely no. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[JHEM]

Hello all, a quick question, would it be possible to write off the amount of money spent buying an "educational aid" goods such as a laptop on our taxes? I am a student by the way.

As Nigellus has already pointed out, you can only deduct the purchase of a laptop as an educational expense if it's required as a condition of enrollment and you purchase it from the school itself. E.g., as an engineering student you're required to purchase a specific model laptop from the school to use in your coursework.

This is a very confusing matter for most people, e.g. books required for a specific course are not deductible as there's usually no requirement to purchase them directly from the school.

Conversely, if you are a student in order to maintain or advance your present employment, then there's almost no limitation on what you can deduct as a legitimate expense for continuing education. Let me stress that this only applies to expenses incurred in order to keep your present job, e.g. if you're a goat roper, you could deduct expenses for taking courses in goat husbandry. If you're a brain surgeon seeking more adventure in your life, you can't deduct expenses incurred in learning to be a whale milker in order to get a better job.

James

[ennma]

On this matter or requirement, say a text book, I guess it would have to be more that a written statement from the lecturer stating the book is required for the course? would you guys agree


so then, once i began working and start taking online courses on my own, the cost of taking courses and +++ , would be legitimate for a deduction.

I am just starting early to see what I can deduct from my income, kindda hard being a student and pay taxes, considering the prices of basic needs are increasing. I can honestly feel the buying power of the dollar is not the as it was use to be, could be a feeling though.

thank you.

[Nigellus]

so then, once i began working and start taking online courses on my own, the cost of taking courses and +++ , would be legitimate for a deduction.

As long as it's for your job or career. You would not be able to write off a cinema class if you are a lawyer, for example.

[dsigma6]

goat roper <snip> goat husbandry <snip> whale milker

So I'm not the only one who dropped LSD this morning!

[Nigellus]

What if the brain surgeon were studying the effects of whale milking on the human brain?

[JHEM]

On this matter or requirement, say a text book, I guess it would have to be more that a written statement from the lecturer stating the book is required for the course?

Written statement or not, unless the only place the book can be purchased is from the school itself (not the school bookstore which is often a separate corporate entity), the book is required to attend the class and is billed as a separate item in your semester billing, then you might be able to deduct it.

so then, once i began working and start taking online courses on my own, the cost of taking courses and +++ , would be legitimate for a deduction.

If the costs were directly applicable to your employment the answer would normally be yes, although you can't normally deduct any portion of the cost of your internet connection.

I am just starting early to see what I can deduct from my income, kindda hard being a student and pay taxes,

It will be a while before you need concern yourself with such matters as the basic deduction will be of more benefit to you until such time as you have other deductions to itemize.

James

[JHEM]

You would not be able to write off a cinema class if you are a lawyer, for example.

You would if your practice specialized in the entertainment industry.

There's almost always a loophole.

James

[JHEM]

What if the brain surgeon were studying the effects of whale milking on the human brain?

See "loophole" reference above.

James

[JHEM]

goat roper <snip> goat husbandry <snip> whale milker

So I'm not the only one who dropped LSD this morning!

What?

They're legitimate jobs!

SeaWorld has a whale milker on staff!

James

[Nigellus]

There's almost always a loophole.

This is true.