Music Bonus: How to Indicate the Deduction in the 2024 Tax Form

The Music Bonus Deduction in 2024: Opportunities and Requirements

In 2024, taxpayers will still be able to benefit from an important deduction for their children: the so-called music bonus.
This deduction allows for a 19% tax relief on expenses incurred for music studies by children.
The maximum amount that can be recovered with this deduction is 190 euros (19% on a maximum expenditure of 1,000 euros).

How to Claim the Music Bonus Deduction

To obtain the music bonus, there is no need to submit a specific request.
It is sufficient to have retained the documents proving the expenses incurred for music courses or enrollment in choirs, bands, or schools.
However, this tax benefit is not available to everyone, but only to those with an income below the maximum threshold set by the regulations.

The music bonus was introduced by Article 1, paragraph 346 of the 2020 budget law, amending Article 15 of the Consolidated Income Tax Act (TUIR) to include costs incurred for music courses, choirs, and bands for children aged between 5 and 18.
To be eligible for the deduction, it is necessary to meet the income requirement, i.e., the income must not exceed 36,000 euros.

According to the guidelines provided by the Revenue Agency, the deduction can be claimed for each dependent subject, such as children, who meet the conditions laid down by the regulations and fall within the age groups covered by the incentive.

The maximum amount of expenditure that can qualify for the deduction is 1,000 euros, resulting in a tax saving of 190 euros for each dependent subject.
The tax benefit can be divided among eligible individuals, for example, shared between the two parents, always respecting the established limits and can be requested for each dependent subject for whom the expenses were incurred.

Claiming the Deduction

The music bonus must be claimed by September 30, 2024, the deadline for submitting the 730/2024 tax return.
As with most deductions available with the 730/2024 tax return, expenses for courses must be paid using traceable means of payment, such as debit or credit cards, bank transfers, bank or postal checks, and prepaid cards.

In order to qualify for the music bonus deduction, enrollment in music courses must be recognized.
Expenses must be incurred for courses offered by:

• Music conservatories;
• Music schools registered in national registers;
• Institutions for higher artistic, musical, and dance education (Afam) legally recognized under Law No.
  508 of December 21, 1999;
• Choirs, bands, and music schools recognized by a public administration.

To claim the deduction for expenses incurred for enrolling dependents in recognized choirs, bands, or music schools, the following requirements must also be met:

• The declarant must not have an income exceeding 36,000 euros;
• The children or other dependents for whom the expenses were incurred must be aged between 5 and 18;
• The expenses must be paid using traceable means.

Operationally, to claim the deduction, it is necessary to fill out the Schedule E – Charges and Expenses, completing lines from E8 to E10.
The deduction is identified with code 45.
If the deduction is divided among multiple minors, a different line must be used for each, always entering the same tax code, 45, and the expenditure incurred for each individual.