Debt settlement fees deductible on Sch A?

[AZ-Tax]

Upon looking thru pub 529 "Misc Deductions" and I am going to conclude no, not even subject to 2% rule though the fees were to get personal credit card debt cancelled which then generates a form 1099-C, taxable income unless they can prove negative net worth.

[S T]

Your assumption

I believe would be correct based on Pub 529

Personal in nature - so no deduction either on Schedule A or possibly to reduce the amount of debt cancelled.

Here is a link (old though it might be back to 2009 - I would think still valid)

http://taxlaw.typepad.com/tax_law/2009/09/melvin-v-commissioner.html

Sandy