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Know how: Deduct further training from your tax bill

Thomas Hraba, education expert at the Styrian Chamber of Labor, explains how to deduct training costs from tax.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com, Kanizaj/AK Stmk, Krone KREATIV)

Anyone who undertakes further training that also makes professional sense can also get money back from the tax office for the costs. AK education expert Thomas Hraba explains the conditions under which this is possible and what you should bear in mind.

Further training costs can be claimed as income-related expenses in tax equalization under certain conditions. If the further training is related to the job you are currently doing or is helpful for your new job (after a job offer has already been made), employees can also deduct these costs from their taxes. Training and further education relating to the private sphere, such as flight tickets, esoteric and painting courses, are not deductible.

Travel and accommodation costs are also deductible
Course fees, costs for documents or costs for work equipment, for example, are tax deductible. In addition, costs for public transportation or overnight stays are deductible if a trip home is not reasonable due to the course times. If a private car is used to travel to and from the training course, a logbook must be kept in order to claim the mileage allowance.

If these expenses can be substantiated by invoices, employees may also deduct them as income-related expenses. The invoices must be kept for a total of seven years. If you have any questions, you can contact AK Steiermark.

"Gewusst wie" is a service series of the "Krone" and the Chamber of Labor