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New Member
posted Mar 10, 2025 12:01:22 PM

Can I deduct the $1,200 I paid to a technical school?

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2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 10, 2025 12:03:36 PM

No.  There is not a deduction for a payment to a technical school, however, if it is a qualifying educational institution, you may be able to claim the non-refundable Life Time Learning Credit

Level 15
Mar 10, 2025 6:48:53 PM

Yes, technical school qualifies for the tuition credits.  The school must be an "eligible institution".  You must have been half time or more to qualify for the more generous American Opportunity Credit (AOC or AOTC).

 

 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://www.savingforcollege.com/eligible-institutions