Distance Learning Tax Deduction: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how you can reduce your taxable income by deducting the costs of professional training and distance learning from your taxes.
This scheme allows you to subtract the expenses you pay for professional training from your total taxable income.
Who it's for
This is for anyone who pays for professional training or distance learning to improve their skills for work.
What you get
You can reduce the amount of income you are taxed on by deducting your educational expenses. This is known locally as Werbungskosten. By lowering your taxable income, you may end up paying less in total tax.
What it costs you
There is no fee to apply for this deduction. However, you must keep all your official invoices and receipts for your course fees to prove the expenses.
The catch to know
To qualify, the training must be directly related to your current job or a profession you are preparing for in the future. If the course is for a completely unrelated hobby, it likely will not qualify.
How to apply
- Collect all invoices and receipts for your course fees and materials.
- Calculate the total amount spent on your training.
- Report these costs when you file your tax return with the local tax office.
- Keep your documents in case the tax office asks for proof of the connection to your work.