In the land of Kangaroos you can claim education expenses directly related to your profession on your tax return. I am developing a plug-in for X-Plane. Do you guys think I can claim costs of my flying school as "education to better understand flight characteristics so that my plug-in works better"?

For anyone who's interested, I'm building a six pack using round LCD displays and an Arduino

No haha

Sure

@Root
Please explain

You can for some things, always best to keep receipts and work with a tax agent if your going to attempt it.

@FuckJava I'm certainly not a tax lawyer, nor am I familiar with Aussie laws. but.

Generally, you can only write off things that further your career, are smaller than the project they're for, and don't replace your career.

a) Flight school is very expensive.
b) Flight school is a means to an end -- a pilot's license. That's the goal, not simply education or training for a different purpose, such as your career. Especially not if you're just building a plugin. If you were designing a flight simulator, or flight code for UAVs, then maybe.

Similarly, tech conferences, seminars, meetups, certificates, courses, etc. help you further your career. They're directly related, and "smaller" than your career. A pilot's license does, not and is not.

@Root
Thanks for taking the time to explain. 8 have a few ideas already :)

UAV sounds intriguing... Same as creating a new aircraft for X-Plane

I'll call our tax dictator on Monday to see what they have to say.

Well looks like you are descending in a left turn at 700 fpm, but your artificial horizon does not agree, so it must be broken and you are at 1500' so you only have about 2 min to figure it out.

You can, If ATO checks you just need to return the money.

Why get a license when you can steal a plane