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posted Jun 3, 2019 1:44:37 PM

Can I claim textbooks not bought at College Campus?

I rented/bought my textbooks though online sites such as Amazon, Barns and Noble, and Chegg.com. 

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1 Best answer
Intuit Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 1:44:38 PM

Yes.  You can still claim the benefit.  You do not have to purchase college textbooks from the school in order to claim an education credit on those expenses. 

According to IRS publication 970,

Related expenses.  Student-activity fees are included in qualified education expenses only if the fees must be paid
to the institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance.  However, expenses for books, supplies, and equipment needed for a course of study are included in qualified education expenses whether or not the materials are
purchased from the educational institution

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf
page 12

1 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 1:44:38 PM

Yes.  You can still claim the benefit.  You do not have to purchase college textbooks from the school in order to claim an education credit on those expenses. 

According to IRS publication 970,

Related expenses.  Student-activity fees are included in qualified education expenses only if the fees must be paid
to the institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance.  However, expenses for books, supplies, and equipment needed for a course of study are included in qualified education expenses whether or not the materials are
purchased from the educational institution

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf
page 12