Can I deduct expenses for professional organizations' memberships/events on my taxes?

Question

The national association for my profession charges $200/year for membership, plus around $25/month for events.

I am a professional, but unfortunately, not an accountant.

Answer 1

For the dues, yes, but only if you itemize. For the events, if you get a dinner or something with them, you're supposed to deduct the value of the dinner from what you pay for the event. If there's no dinner involved, just a lecture or something, then yes if you itemize.

Answer 2

If they are requirements for the profession, I believe so. You should check with your tax advisor but I know that nurses, doctors, and other professionals are required by law to have certain registrations and licenses and they are tax deductable is most cases. However, if belonging to your association is not a legally mandated requirement by the government, then it is not likely deductible. Same for the events. If membership is required as well as the events by your employer, they may be deductible, but it depends on the individual circumstance.

Answer 3

You can deduct membership fees for a professional organization if you itemize your deductions. Not sure about events though.

Answer 4

This will go on schedule C (form 1040) for business expenses.

EDIT: I may have misinterpreted that. If it's a organization you own, and you have expenses that would go on schedule C, if you are an employee expenses they would go on schedule A under unreimbursed employee expenses. You can deduct as it exceed 2% of your Adjusted gross income.

Answer 5

If you are a professional, then you would know the answer...