If I am working a full-time job in field A and have a side hussle in field B and decide to upgrade my skills in side B so that I can drop full time job and earn more money from side hussle can I claim the tuition fees as a deduction?
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Whether you can claim would be based on the same principles as claiming self-education expenses as an employee.
Self-education expenses | Australian Taxation Office
So there must be a link between your current income earning activity and the education you are planning on doing.
Hi @Lifelearner81,
No, you generally can’t claim a deduction for tuition fees related to your side hustle (field B), unless the course has a sufficient connection to your current income-earning activities at the time the expense is incurred.
In your situation, the course relates to field B rather than your full-time job in field A. If your side hustle is already generating income, you may be able to claim the tuition fees against that income. However, if you’re undertaking the course to transition away from your full-time job, enter a new field, or significantly change your income source, the expense is typically not deductible.
In particular, courses that are intended to help you obtain new employment aren't deductible, even if they relate to an existing side hustle.
@TaxDuck has provided great links to read though.
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