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New Member
posted Feb 2, 2025 3:09:37 PM

Can I write off tuition for online real estate course?

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2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 2, 2025 3:22:07 PM

Probably not.  If you’re self-employed, you can deduct education expenses as long as the education maintains or improves skills required by your current line of work, or is mandated by law or industry regulations (for example, if you’re required to take X hours of continuing education every year to keep your license). But if the education only allows you to meet the minimum requirements of your present trade or business, or qualifies you for a new line of work, you cannot deduct the cost.

Level 15
Feb 2, 2025 7:12:46 PM

No, there is no deduction for that.

If the courses were taken at a recognized college or vocational school (educational institutions eligible to participate in the student aid programs administered by the Department of Education),  you may, instead,  be able to take the Lifetime Learning Credit (but not the American Opportunity credit).

 

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

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

Rule of thumb: if you have to ask, your school is not an eligible institution.

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