Can I count a 2015 school health insurance payment covering 2016 as school fee ?

[charly37tls]

I m currently doing the TAX for my girlfriend and we have a question regarding health insurance.

In 2016 she was full time student (graduated in December 2016) and thus covered by her school health insurance (bluecross MA) that that she paid the 31 DEC 2015 (2642 dollar for the period AUG 15 -> AUG 16).

We are wondering if we could count the 8 months included in 2016 (JAN 2016 -> AUG 2016) as school fee even if the payment was done the 31 DEC 2015 ?

Also another question related to health insurance claim…. She was cover from AUG 2016 -> DEC 2016 with Mass Health insurance. Is there any way to have a tax deduction from the amount paid for this insurance (she done some part time job and thus is consider as contractor with 2 jobs delivering her 1099 if it help) ?

[KrisD · Accepted solution]

Health insurance is not recognized as an education expense by the IRS.

But a computer is if it was needed for the class.

Also, you always report expenses in the tax year that you paid them.

You can deduct the premiums as medical expenses.

To enter the medical expenses as a W2 employee click

Federal Taxes

Deductions & Credits

Scroll down to "Medical"

Start "Medical Expenses"

According to the IRS:

“Expenses That Don't Qualify Qualified education expenses don't include amounts paid for: Insurance; Medical expenses (including student health fees); Room and board; Transportation; or Similar personal, living, or family expenses. This is true even if the amount must be paid to the institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance.”

Please click the link below for more detailed information:

CLICK HERE for IRS Pub 970 Tax Benefits for Education

[charly37tls]

Thx

Also, you always report expenses in the tax year that you paid them.  >> Do that mean I can forget about the payment for health insurance made in 2015 even if it cover some months in 2016 ?

Federal Taxes->Deductions & Credits->Scroll down to "Medical"->Start "Medical Expenses"  >> told me that if it is less than around 1700 it is unnecessary to do..... but if I manually enter the amount in the generated ScheduleC Part II line 15 it reduce my taxes....Can I enter the amount paid for health insurance for my part time job here ?
What is the difference between your path :
Federal Taxes->Deductions & Credits->Scroll down to "Medical"->Start "Medical Expenses"
and putting the amount I paid for health insurance in this path :
Federal taxes->wages and income -> business items -> Business deduction and credit -> Self-employed health insurance paid ??

Thx

[KrisD]

Yes, only what is paid, so if you paid in 2015, you can't claim that on your 2016 tax return.
Yes, I was wrong. If you got paid as a 1099 contractor, you can file a schedule C and claim your business expenses, including any health care premiums you purchased as a self-employed taxpayer. nice

[charly37tls]

Cool. Thx