SELF-EDUCATION EXPENSES NEXT ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK!

The Government has announced that it will “better target work related self-education expense deductions” by introducing an annual cap on deductions for such expenses from 1 July 2014 of $2,000 a person.
Education expenses include formal qualifications and associated tuition fees, textbooks, stationery and travel expenses and also conferences, seminars and self-organised study tours.
However, employers that provide education and training to their employees will continue to have this excluded from any liability for fringe benefits tax (FBT) unless an employee salary sacrifices to obtain these benefits.
Although the Government states that they are targeting people making large claims for expenses such as first class airfares, five star accommodation and expensive courses, the introduction of a $2,000 annual deduction cap seems like a very blunt instrument to tackle such claims.
Our tax agent association is taking up the fight to ensure that ‘regular’ claims are not affected.