Can I claim an educational deduction or credit for completing a two-year certificate program at an art school?

[primitiverobot]

I finished a two-year course of study last year at an art school that offers an MFA in Cartooning for students holding a bachelor's degree, or a certificate for non-bachelor students. The school is non-accredited and doesn't issue form 1098-T. Can I still claim an education deduction/credit?

[georgesT · Accepted solution]

Yes, you may still claim the the Lifetime Learning Credit if you meet the other IRS requirement below. 

You may not be eligible to claim the American Opportunity credit if the school is not an accredited school.

The Credit is generally better than the education deduction . TurboTax will help you figure out the best option.

You are eligible to claim the Lifetime Learning Credit if all of the following requirements are met:

• You (or your dependent or a third party) paid qualified education expenses for higher education.
• You paid the education expenses for an eligible student.
• The eligible student is you, your spouse, or a dependent you claim an exemption for on your tax return.
• Your modified adjusted gross income is less than $65,000($131,000 if you are married filing jointly).
• The credit is reduced between $55,000 and $65,000 ($111,000 and $131,000).

One of the advantages of the Lifetime Learning Credit is that you can take the credit every year for higher education as long as you meet the qualifying requirements.

[primitiverobot]

Thanks for your response! After looking into the Lifetime Learning Credit information and interview on the IRS website, I've determined I'm not eligible since my school is not accredited or eligible to participate in financial aid programs from the US DoE, but your answer was helpful in pointing me in the right direction.