How to Deduct Dues to Professional Organizations on an Income Tax Form

The Internal Revenue Service allows you to deduct any dues that are required by your profession, such as bar dues or membership fees to a professional or trade organization, from your taxes. If you are self-employed, you may take the full deduction. You can also deduct the costs of other organizations you join to help your business, such as the Chamber of Commerce. If you are an employee, deduct only amounts for which your employer does not reimburse you. Dues are reported on Schedule A of Form 1040, so if you don't itemize, you won't be able to claim the deduction.

Deductions for Self-Employed Taxpayers

Report Dues and Subscriptions on Schedule C

Report Joining Fees

Deduct the Cost of Meetings and Meals

Deduct Mileage Expense

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Deductions for Employees

Report Your Professional Membership Fees and Dues

Calculate all Miscellaneous Deductions

Carry Over Your Adjusted Gross Income

Calculate 2 Percent of Your Adjusted Gross Income

Subtract the 2 Percent from Miscellaneous Deductions

Tip

Keep all receipts for dues and professional membership fees with your other tax deduction records. In the event you are audited, if you cannot substantiate the expenditure, the IRS will disallow it.

Warning

For the tax deduction for professional membership fees, the IRS does not allow deductions for organizations that are mainly social in nature, even if membership is restricted to individuals in a specific profession or trade group. The membership must be both ordinary and necessary for you to carry out your job to qualify for the tax deduction professional membership.

References

Internal Revenue Service: Deducting Unreimbursed Employee Expenses
Internal Revenue Service: Schedule A
Internal Revenue Service: Schedule C Instructions

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