[whathousework?]

Sorry to be a sticky beak. I am doing my tax and my self education expenses total $6799.80 (No wonder I always feel broke!). I have broken it down as:

5 uni subjects.
Textbooks - $675
Stationary - $476 (lecture pads, pens, postage, printer ink)
Fees - $3250
Travel (home, uni, work - as per allowed trips) - 1170k @ 74c = $865.80
Child care - $741
External course (not uni) - $792

Total = $6799.80

Is this normal, or have I done something drastically wrong?

This post has been edited by *yummymummy*: 02/08/2009, 09:54 PM

[Lees75]

I could be totally wrong, but I don't think any of that stuff is claimable! My understanding is that the self education expenses is for declaring education expenses to do with your current job. So, for example, if you are a doctor, you could claim going to an education session on swine flu! But you can't claim training for a job that you don't yet have - i.e doing a uni course.

[pruehp]

PP is right in that the education needs to be directly related to your CURRENT employment. That may be the case - I don't know what type of study you are doing, or what type of work either.

I think that claiming the childcare costs is a bit dubious though. Trips between uni and home are also likely not claimable, but depends on your situation.

I'd check with the ATO rather than risk being audited and having to pay back tax and interest.

Good luck!

Prue

Edited to add that your even if your education is related to your employment, it cannot be undertaken for the purpose of getting a promotion. Your situation raises red flags with me and I think will for the ATO also, because not many people are willing to spend close to $7,000 on education without the prospect of a promotion for their efforts.

This post has been edited by pruehp: 02/08/2009, 10:12 PM

[whathousework?]

To clarify - my studies are deemed to be directly related to my current employment as per the ATO rules.

[pruehp]

To clarify - my studies are deemed to be directly related to my current employment as per the ATO rules.

Well then, if you're confident - an almost $7,000 deduction - nice!

[whathousework?]

Like I said in my OP, no wonder I feel broke all the time, not to mention sleep deprived!

[littlepickle]

I usually attract at least a $2000 deduction per year for educational expenses directly linked to my current job. Whilst it is a pain to come up with the money at the time , it does make for a nice return. However I dont think that childcare would be considered a rebate - particularly if you get a % off plus 50% out of pocket expenses paid.

I always go through an accountant .

littlepickle

[**Kaz**]

I only claimed as per follows...

Textbooks $386

[teenie]

Even if your education is directly related to your current job, I cannot see how childcare, travel to and from uni are deducible.

I have enormous deductions for work related courses, travel to and from uni is not always deductible, it is only deductible if you travel from work to uni then to home, and in that case the segment from work to uni is claimable. childcare is definitely not claimable unless rules have changed considerably and recently.

Generally in my understanding, course fees (but NOT HECS), books, stationary, tools are deductible, but I would seek official advice on the other stuff, the last thing you would want is an audit from the tax office, they also look at your profession and whether the amount you are claiming is on par with what they would expect for your line of work.

Just noticed that your travel is >1000kilometers, so I am quite sure that long distance travel for courses/conferences etc IS claimable!

This post has been edited by teenie: 03/08/2009, 05:32 PM

[Julie3Girls]

I really really doubt you can claim childcare. If you are studying, you would already be eligible for CCB (depending on income) and the 50% rebate (not means tested), so I really can't see you being able to claim AGAIN.