Subscriptions to professional journals and trade magazines are deductible if
they are related to your work.
Work-related Education Expenses
Work-related education expenses are deductible, even if they lead to a
degree, if they meet the following two tests:
The education must serve to
maintain or improve skills required in your present work.
It must be required by your
employer or by law to keep your salary, status, or job, and the
requirement must serve a bona fide business purpose of your employer.
You cannot deduct education expenses, even if one or both of the preceding
tests are met, if the education:
is needed to meet the minimum
requirements to qualify you in your work or business, or
will lead to qualifying you
in a new trade or business.
If the education qualifies you for a new trade or business, the expenses are
not deductible even if you do not go into that trade or business.
Minimum Requirements
The minimum education requirements to qualify in your work or business are
determined by laws and regulations, the standards of your trade, profession, or
business, and by your employer. If the minimum requirements subsequently
change, after you have met the requirements that were in effect when you were
hired, and you have education expenses to meet these new requirements, your
expenses would be deductible.
Maintaining or Improving Skills
If you get more education than the law or your employer requires, you can
deduct the expenses only if they maintain or improve your skills. Keeping
up-to-date on changes or the latest innovations in your trade or profession
would qualify as deductible education expenses.
Qualifying Expenses
If you qualify based on these tests, deductible education expenses include
tuition, fees, books, supplies, and certain transportation costs.