Getting tax back against Uni course fees..

stinkyrich

Hi guys, a bit of advice would be great if anyone can help...

I'm currently working full time in a marketing job, part time as a massage therapist and studying part time to be an osteopath (busy, yes...). At the moment I earn £20k+ from my day job, about £1k with the massage and my course costs me £5k+ per year on fees and expenses.

Is there anyway I can write off the cost of the course againist tax? I was thinking maybe go self -employed as a massage therapist with my marketing job as a secondary income and try to write off the course fees as professional development costs - would that work?

thanks in advance

fengirl_2

Course, training and educational fees which are incurred to merely put you in the position to do the work are not allowable for tax. Training fees to keep your knowledge up to date are allowable.

stinkyrich

How about for professional development? Going from massage therapist to osteopath is a move forwards in terms of knowledge and skills...

Thanks for your help

fengirl_2

You would have to convince HMRC that these are one and the same professions. I dont think they are, but am not an expert.
One might be a classroom assistant and move on to train as a teacher - these are clearly different jobs.

stinkyrich

Oh right I see what you mean. They are indeed different professions so it sounds like I'm barking up the wrong tree!!

Thanks for your advice though, very helpful

Rich