Tax deductions for flight training?
 

Can I deduct expenses off income tax for flight training for anything following my PPL? :confused:

Definitely maybe. Talk to your cpa.

Probably, but not necessarily. Google it. Generally, you cannot deduct training to obtain employment in a new field of work (I.e. Professional flying). If you were a business owner and obtained a license so you could fly yourself around, that could possibly qualify. If you were a business employee and your employer expressly required you to obtain a commercial license in order to perform work for the company, that would be a mildly gray area.

Normally, you can only deduct those flight training expenses that you incur to maintain your skills (recurrent for a contractor, etc), improve your skills (ATP rating, CFII add-on, etc), or business related expenses (replacement headset, medical exam, etc).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

IRS Publication 970
 

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p97...link1000178645

Straight from the source (there's more at the link):

You can deduct the costs of qualifying work-related education as business expenses. This is education that meets at least one of the following two tests.

• The education is required by your employer or the law to keep your present salary, status, or job. The required education must serve a bona fide business purpose of your employer.
• The education maintains or improves skills needed in your present work.

However, even if the education meets one or both of the above tests, it isn't qualifying work-related education if it:

• Is needed to meet the minimum educational requirements of your present trade or business, or
• Is part of a program of study that will qualify you for a new trade or business.

You can deduct the costs of qualifying work-related education as a business expense even if the education could lead to a degree.