Help - can I claim anything back from my tax for a diploma I completed this year?

danielle24

Basically, I spent £2000 for a City and Guilds accredited, employment related course that I completed in November. Is there any way I can claim a rebate against my tax or is that only if you are registered as self-employed?

mrtg0525

I am not an accountant or a tax specialist, so take this info with a large grain of salt.

My understanding is that if you're self-employed and the course is related to your business, then it qualifies as a business expense. However if you're employed, the attitude appears to be that if it was job related or even critical to your job, your employer would pay for it instead...

Aside: I so hope to be proven wrong on the latter as this has been a pet peeve of mine for a long time - the government goes on about "education, education, etc" and they wouldn't even offer a little tax relief for your ongoing (further) education. And here endeth the rant.

dori2o

If the course is taken in order to advance yourself in employment, or it is the first time you have taken the course, then it is not claimable, no matter if you are employed or self employed.

However, if it is a refresher course, i.e. you had to do the course to keep an existing qualification, then the amount is claimable. Again this applies to both employed and self employed people. However, for those who are EMPLOYED, expect HMRC to enquire why your employer has not taken responsibility for this expense.

The way I read the OP, it is as though they have taken the course to learn how to do a certain job, i.e. Learn how to be a plumber, driving instructor etc, in this case the fee is Non Claimable.

danielle24

dori2o wrote: »

If the course is taken in order to advance yourself in employment, or it is the first time you have taken the course, then it is not claimable, no matter if you are employed or self employed.

However, if it is a refresher course, i.e. you had to do the course to keep an existing qualification, then the amount is claimable. Again this applies to both employed and self employed people. However, for those who are EMPLOYED, expect HMRC to enquire why your employer has not taken responsibility for this expense.

The way I read the OP, it is as though they have taken the course to learn how to do a certain job, i.e. Learn how to be a plumber, driving instructor etc, in this case the fee is Non Claimable.

That's what I thought - things are a little different in Australia!