A taxpayer studies tax law at a university on a part-time basis. He is diligently working towards a master's degree in taxation. He is employed on a full-time basis in the auditing department of a large accounting firm and anticipates that the classes will help him with his auditing work. He believes the classes will also provide an opportunity for him to work in the tax department of the firm. Unfortunately, his employer, although supportive of his attending classes, is not willing to reimburse the taxpayer for any of the $10,000 tuition costs.
a. What if the taxpayer decides to take a leave of absence from his job in order to attend classes frill-time? He anticipates that he will be on a leave for 18 months. He plans on returning to his firm upon completion of his master's degree.
b. What if, instead of attending tax classes, the taxpayer attends law school on a part-time basis while working at the accounting firm? He and the firm believe that the law training will be useful to him in his work at the firm.