Can I still add the educational expenses I spent in the past years and forgot to add to my tax returns to this year's tax return?

[mohandesi]

I graduated in 2015, but still owed around $12k to school for tuition. My school did not issue a 1098T for me in years 2016 and 2017 and I had paid a total of $3600 in these 2 years and did not mention it in my tax returns. Can I use my bank statements to get a tax return for these years?

[Vanessa · Accepted solution]

 No, each tax year is an individual tax year, meaning you can only enter expenses paid in 2018 on your 2018 tax return.

Also, in order to claim the expenses, you must be enrolled at or attending school, so you would have needed to claim the expenses in 2015.  

"Who Can Claim an Education Credit?

There are additional rules for each credit, but you must meet all three of the following for either credit:

1. You, your dependent or a third party pays qualified education expenses for higher education.
2. An eligible student must be enrolled at an eligible educational institution.
3. The eligible student is yourself, your spouse or a dependent you list on your tax return."

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-benefits-for-education-information-center

If you paid interest on the tuition payments in 2016 and 2017 and otherwise qualify, you may be able to Amend Your Return to include a student loan interest deduction if you had taxable income for 2016 and 2017.