It’s W-2 time at work, and with that comes the cruel reminder that tax season will soon be upon us. But Lori Singleton-Clarke’s story offers a silver lining.

The Maryland nurse got in a tangle with the IRS after she deducted her tuition for an MBA degree from her taxes. The IRS sued her, arguing that the expenses were not work-related. Singleton-Clarke represented herself in tax court and won. Her victory could set a precedent for thousands of people who deduct work-related tuition expenses.