Yes, if it qualifies. Self-employed people can deduct education on Schedule C when it maintains or improves skills needed in their present work, or is required by law to keep their status. It is not deductible if it meets the minimum requirements of your current trade or qualifies you for a new trade or business. IRS Tax Topic 513, reviewed September 2026, sets out these tests. A ProfitDrawer bookkeeping spreadsheet logs course fees under an expense category you set.
What can count, per IRS Tax Topic 513:
- Tuition, books, supplies, lab fees and similar items.
- Certain transportation and travel costs.
- Other educational expenses, such as the cost of research.
Illustrations (not IRS examples): an established hairdresser taking an advanced coloring course is improving skills for current work. Someone studying for a qualification that leads into a different profession is training for a new trade, which does not qualify.
Points to know:
- Education during a temporary absence from work, usually one year or less, can qualify if it maintains or improves skills and you return to the same general type of work.
- Training taken before your business opens can be a start-up cost instead, which IRS Publication 583 includes among start-up costs with the $5,000 first-year limit.
- Education credits are a separate topic, covered in IRS Publication 970.
Keep receipts and a short note on how each course relates to your current business. General information, not tax advice.
Source: IRS Tax Topic 513, Work-related education expenses · Updated
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General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Check the rules for your state and your situation.