Dental Industry Supports Axing Of Self-Education Deduction Cap

The peak representative body representing suppliers of quality dental products, the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), has supported the decision to axe the planned cap on tax deductions for self-education expenses.

"ADIA welcomes the advice from the Treasurer that this measure, an initiative of the previous government, will not proceed. It was badly crafted policy that failed to recognise the commitment of employees within the dental industry to their own skills development," said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.

In a submission tendered by ADIA to The Treasury earlier this year, ADIA advised that the proposed $2,000 cap on self-education expense deductions would deter employees from investing in their own skills development and adversely affect the dental industry's workforce.

"A substantial number of employees within the dental industry financially support their own skills development and the former government's policy jeopardised this investment in self-education," Mr Williams said.

In making the announcement the Treasurer, the Hon. Joe Hockey MP, said that advice available to his department is that there is no credible evidence of substantial abuse of this deduction. The Treasurer said if credible evidence of systematic abuse emerges, then the Australian Government will revisit this issue.