If I go back to school to become a personal trainer can I write that expense off of my taxes next year?

Question

I wish to become a licensed personal fitness trainer. When I file my taxes next year can I use my education and equipment as a tax write off. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can do this?

Answer 1

An eligible educational institution is any college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the Department of Education. It includes virtually all accredited public, nonprofit, and proprietary (privately owned profit-making) postsecondary institutions. The educational institution should be able to tell you if it is an eligible educational institution.

Certain educational institutions located outside the United States also participate in the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/index.html

Answer 2

Most personal trainer certifications can be earned without going to a traditional "school". They average about $500 including materials and exams. So you are better off training some clients as an independent trainer (not working as a W-2 employee at a gym) so you can offset that income with the cost of your certification. This is allowed because it is a direct business expense. If you are only going to be a W2 employee then you have to go through the hassle of the learning credits that other people mentioned. I doubt that personal training cert programs will meet the fed requirements.

Answer 3

If you go to an eligible school for this, you might be able to take an education credit. Read chapter 35 in IRS Publication 17, or Publication 970 (download at irs.gov) for more info.