For freelancers (self-employed without employees), study costs are generally tax-deductible, provided they meet certain conditions. Below are the rules that apply to deductible study costs:
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Business Purpose
• The study costs must have a clear business purpose. This means that the study or course must directly relate to your current or future work as a freelancer.
• If the study contributes to improving your professional knowledge or skills used in your business, the costs are deductible. -
No Personal Expenses
• Education or courses taken for personal development or hobbies are not deductible.
• The costs must pertain to your business, not personal matters. -
Types of Deductible Costs
You can deduct various costs, including:
• Tuition or course fees.
• Study books and other study materials.
• Travel expenses, provided they are for business-related studies. -
Study Costs as Business Expenses
For freelancers, study costs are considered business expenses. This means that you can deduct these costs from your profit, which can lower your tax burden.
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No Threshold or Maximum
Unlike employees and private individuals, freelancers are not subject to thresholds or maximum amounts for deducting study costs. As long as the costs are business-related, you can fully deduct them.
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VAT Deduction
If the educator charges VAT on the study costs, you can reclaim this VAT as a VAT-liable freelancer, provided the study is directly related to your business.
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Retraining or Reskilling Costs
If you are pursuing a course to switch to another profession, it may be more difficult to deduct the costs, as they may not be considered necessary for your current business.