Can I write off membership dues for professional orgs?

You can deduct membership dues paid to professional organizations if the membership is directly related to your trade or business. This includes dues to chambers of commerce, trade associations, or professional societies. However, dues paid to social clubs, such as country clubs or athletic clubs, are not deductible. For example, if you are a lawyer, membership dues to the American Bar Association would be deductible, but dues to a golf club would not.