Green cert

proteuspal

Hello all-does anyone know if the green cert is a tax deductible expense for year end accounting purposes? It would seem to me that it should be a valid business expense. I realise the benefits which already exist for stamp duty, so I am aware of this info already. But I feel the course cost should be tax deductible. Has anyone any experience of this? Or any further info?

jus_tin4

While i wouldn't be 100%, i dont see how it would be tbh as its not required to carry out farming. It would be no different than any other form of education. The tax reliefs you get for having it are the deductions.

proteuspal

Thanks jus-tin4, I take your point alright. I suppose my logic was that if a tradesman does a course to top up his knowledge, usually such courses are tax deductible, or they might do a health and safety course etc, which would be tax deductible. I just haven't been able to find any definite answers online, so all feedback on here is greatly appreciated.

proteuspal

Can anyone provide any further info at all folks ? Someone who has done the course and paid for it. I’m considering the distance learning course btw. Thank you in advance

Maybe there’s an accountant who deals with farmers accounts on here who could advise ?

Farm365

proteuspal wrote: »

Can anyone provide any further info at all folks ? Someone who has done the course and paid for it. I’m considering the distance learning course btw. Thank you in advance

Maybe there’s an accountant who deals with farmers accounts on here who could advise ?

I’m starting the Green Cert in October and I asked my accountant today was it tax deductible and he said it was.

proteuspal

Farm365 wrote: »

I’m starting the Green Cert in October and I asked my accountant today was it tax deductible and he said it was.

Thanks Farm365. Can I ask - just to double check that your situation is same as mine. Are you doing the distance learning one (can’t imagine it makes a difference either way , from a tax perspective), and also do you already own any part of the farm land (In future I’ll hope to inherit land, but I own none of it right now)

Thanks for your input

Farm365

proteuspal wrote: »

Thanks Farm365. Can I ask - just to double check that your situation is same as mine. Are you doing the distance learning one (can’t imagine it makes a difference either way , from a tax perspective), and also do you already own any part of the farm land (In future I’ll hope to inherit land, but I own none of it right now)

Thanks for your input

I’m not doing the distance one but the one I’m doing is on Friday evenings and weekends so it’s probably similar. Yes I own the farm and farm.

proteuspal

Farm365 wrote: »

I’m not doing the distance one but the one I’m doing is on Friday evenings and weekends so it’s probably similar. Yes I own the farm and farm.

Ok, yes I agree the two courses the same alright. The difference is you are already the owner. Not sure if there is any way around it for me as I’m not the owner.

Farm365

proteuspal wrote: »

Ok, yes I agree the two courses the same alright. The difference is you are already the owner. Not sure if there is any way around it for me as I’m not the owner.

Do you have a herd number?

jus_tin4

Farm365 wrote: »

I’m not doing the distance one but the one I’m doing is on Friday evenings and weekends so it’s probably similar. Yes I own the farm and farm.

Revenue dont mention anything in regards being allowed to claim for this expense as a sole trader. you are allowed claim for a number of expense in the act of carrying out your job such as phone bills, accountant fees, leases. But it never mentions any cost relating to training/upskilling.

You can claim back the fees for an employee if it meets certain criteria, but again i dont believe your case would match this

the below is what im referning to on the revenue website.

Just cause Farm365 accountant is deducting it, does not mean you are in a position to do so.

I would seek advise from your accountant before you go ahead if you are expecting to be able to claim it back. I know in my circumstance i wouldnt be able to.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/starting-a-business/claiming-a-deduction-for-expenses/index.aspx

https://www.revenue.ie/en/employing-people/benefit-in-kind-for-employers/other-benefits/examinations-courses-and-professional-subscriptions.aspx

proteuspal

Farm365 wrote: »

Do you have a herd number?

Herd number in my parents name , not mine. That might be significant I guess ?

proteuspal

jus_tin4 wrote: »

Revenue dont mention anything in regards being allowed to claim for this expense as a sole trader. you are allowed claim for a number of expense in the act of carrying out your job such as phone bills, accountant fees, leases. But it never mentions any cost relating to training/upskilling.

You can claim back the fees for an employee if it meets certain criteria, but again i dont believe your case would match this

the below is what im referning to on the revenue website.

Just cause Farm365 accountant is deducting it, does not mean you are in a position to do so.

I would seek advise from your accountant before you go ahead if you are expecting to be able to claim it back. I know in my circumstance i wouldnt be able to.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/starting-a-business/claiming-a-deduction-for-expenses/index.aspx

https://www.revenue.ie/en/employing-people/benefit-in-kind-for-employers/other-benefits/examinations-courses-and-professional-subscriptions.aspx

Thanks for those links I haven’t seen this info before. I agree our situations do differ so I fully intend on getting all the facts. This seems a grey area if I’m honest

Sugarbowl

What if you got your parents to pay - say out of their farm bank account? Would they be able to claim something back for it? It may qualify as some sort of farm expense and help out their tax situation if not yours. (Refund them of course)

jus_tin4

Sugarbowl wrote: »

What if you got your parents to pay - say out of their farm bank account? Would they be able to claim something back for it? It may qualify as some sort of farm expense and help out their tax situation if not yours. (Refund them of course)

Would say that’s the best way in order to meet the criteria in any way.