The_Pharoah
Not quite correct. As long as he/she was earning assessable income as a pilot (It doesn’t have to be his/hers main source of income), then the Instructor rating and or MECIR is deductable. How do I know this? I’m also a CPA (well use to be) and have had dealings with this exact issue with the ATO to my satisfaction.

Titan what about if the operator you work for is VFR only can you claim if I did my MECIR while working for them or will I have to wait till I'm working for an operator that does IFR flights?

If you want a definite answer, apply to the ATO for a private ruling, its specific to your situation and legally binding on the ATO, so download the application form and send it in.

I reckon just claim it and see if you get away with it.

I tryed the same with my ag rating. I was loading at the time, had a CPL, and the company wrote a nice letter stating they needed me to fly for them i was getting a payrise etc.

Unfortunatly in my case it didnt work out, (the acountant was suprised and so was I)
about 8 months after the rebate I got a nice letter telling me I had to pay it back.

There argument was that it was creating a new job for me. As I was upgrading from loader driver to ag pilot, not from pilot to ag pilot.

You can claim lots off things back tough, like helmets, headsets, medical, renewals etc, but I supose you do know that


never mind, I payed it back. But just try your luck:ok:

Be careful claiming your MECIR, i got stung by the ATO for claiming mine as i was not employed as an IFR pilot at the time and was gaining the qualification to seek outside employment on better conditions.

However i claim renewals even though my employers have always payed them so in around 10 renewals i should be even with the ATO :D

I can just imagine you smashing around gadude in that 210 of yours wearing a full helmet :P being an ag pilot would be good fun though, 'till you spear your first one in!

Speaking of MDG, i saw your bird in Karratha today from across the apron :P not you is it?

solowflyer

Technically, no you can’t claim it as you couldn’t use it with your current employer. If you are so inclined you could, as suggested get a ruling from the ATO and try and argue the case that while I can’t operate IFR with my current employer, gaining my MECIR has enabled me to be a safer pilot because of the additional training it provided.

MACH082
And there in lies the problem. You can’t claim self education expenses to try and get another job.

ok thanks that makes sense.

Tax deductability
 

Thanks
I will write up a truthful but considered argument and submit it as a private ruling .

Aeroguy

My situation is; I was unemployed when I did my MECIR. I found a job in the same financial year, which the MECIR was a prerequisite for the position. I'm gonna try and claim it but again I'm not sure how I will go? Anyone had success in a similar situation?

here is one :)
 

Now for instance you happen to be employed by a training school as an RAA instructor. This school has both ga and raa. Your training to GA for the purposes of getting a cpl and instructor rating + mecir rating could indeed be tax deductible. You have the nexus establised. food for thought :)