Can I deduct a laptop I had to get in order to attend an online school program if it was not paid for upfront and is being paid monthly?

[abalzano13]

My certificate program is online, so a computer and internet access are necessary for the courses. I was not able to afford to pay the laptop all at once, so it is being paid for twice a month. I wasn't sure if I could deduct it since it has been totally paid off yet.

[Hal_Al]

You may count the payments actually made in 2022, if your course otherwise meets the requirements.

 To be eligible for the tuition credits, the course must be taken at "an eligible institution". The school should be able to tell you if it is an eligible educational institution. In general, an eligible educational institution is an accredited college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary educational institution, including accredited, public, nonprofit, and proprietary (privately-owned, profit-making) postsecondary institutions. Additionally, in order to be an eligible educational institution, the school must be eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the Department of Education. If they issue a 1098-T they are probably an eligible institution.

Enter your school at the link below, to see if it's on the dept. of education list.

https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home

Schools that only offer online courses usually do not qualify.  Online classes taken at schools that also have  classroom instruction usually do count.

You must be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential.  A "certificate program" at an eligible institution usually meets that requirement. If they issue a 1098-T, it probably qualifies.

[MarilynG1]

Yes, if a computer is required for your online education, you can deduct the cost of the computer (even if it is not paid for yet).

Here's how you can Enter the Expense in the Education Section.