ACLS &PALS, Tax Deduction?

[smc5127, BSN, CNA, RN]

I'm about to start in the ER in a few weeks, so I have to get my ACLS and PALS. Can we take these off our taxes as a deduction etc?

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

usually your employer pays for BLS/PAL/ACLS certifications. Usually they say something like must obtain ACLS & PALS within 6 months of hire.

[smc5127, BSN, CNA, RN]

My employer isn't doing that. Idk if they will next year, but now to start off, they arent. So, I need to know if it can be tax deductible

[smc5127, BSN, CNA, RN]

usually your employer pays for BLS/PAL/ACLS certifications. Usually they say something like must obtain ACLS & PALS within 6 months of hire.

My employer isn't doing that. Idk if they will next year, but now to start off, they arent. So, I need to know if it can be tax deductible

[BBP42]

That would fall under work-related education expense required by your employer and be a valid itemized deduction.

Topic No. 513 Work-Related Education Expenses | Internal Revenue Service

[NurseyNurse1005, EMT-I]

BBP42 said:

That would fall under work-related education expense required by your employer and be a valid itemized deduction.

Topic No. 513 Work-Related Education Expenses | Internal Revenue Service

What if I am about to apply to jobs that require it? Does it still count as a tax write off? Im not currently employed but I am about to graduate. Could it be an education expense? 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

NurseyNurse1005 said:

What if I am about to apply to jobs that require it? Does it still count as a tax write off? Im not currently employed but I am about to graduate. Could it be an education expense? 

YES.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

NurseyNurse1005 said:

What if I am about to apply to jobs that require it? Does it still count as a tax write off? Im not currently employed but I am about to graduate. Could it be an education expense? 

This is no longer an option on taxes as this post is over 7 years old.

To deduct these costs on your itemized taxes you must fulfill one of these requirements:

"You may be able to deduct the cost of work-related education expenses paid during the year if you're:

A self-employed individual

An Armed Forces reservist

A qualified performing artist

A fee-based state or local government official

A disabled individual with impairment-related education expenses"

A nurse working in a hospital does not meet the requirements of the above list.  

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc513

NRSKarenRN said:

YES.

Not any more.  Work related education expenses are limited to select circumstances in recent years.  https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc513

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks Just Peachy, see IRS regs changed so after 2017 unable claim education deduction unless self-employed.  Since I act as a nurse consultant not employee -bill for services, able to take deduction when using TurboTax....forgot that qualification.

[NurseyNurse1005, EMT-I]

JustBeachyNurse said:

A self-employed individual

If I do also have a CFO license (side business selling cookies), do you know if I would qualify then? Or do you know, does the education have to be pertinent to the type of self-employment?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

NurseyNurse1005 said:

If I do also have a CFO license (side business selling cookies), do you know if I would qualify then? Or do you know, does the education have to be pertinent to the type of self-employment?

It must be related to the type of business. These are the kinds of deductions that are likely to be scrutinized when submitted.   So you'd be hard pressed to explain how ACLS PALS is related to a home cookie baking business.  Unlike a SERVsafe course related to safe food handling which would make sense.   
 

There are a multitude of reasons for this change in regulations and those who make this claim in deductions are going to have to be prepared to justify the link to the business it is claimed against