Do fees for my cap and gown count as an educational expense?

[kelleyridge]

This was required to participate in commencement.

[Hal_Al]

No.  

References: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-credits-deductions/discussion/is-the-purchase-of-academic-rega....

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/am-i-able-to-put-in-my-cap-and-gown-f...

The expenses must be "required for attendance". 

I would think the cost would not make much difference in the amount of tax credit, that could be claimed, particularly since graduation year is usually the 5th calendar/tax year of undergrad education and the more generous AOTC is limited to being claimed 4 times total. 

[kelleyridge]

Thank you for your response. Just to be sure I understand. I completed a terminal degree and in order to attend the graduation ceremony I had to purchase regalia. It looks like it may make a difference in the return when I add the expense to the “items not required for attendance” box. The cost was over $1200.00. Thank you for your help!

[DianeW777]

No.  The expense for cap and gown are not an education expense as pointed out by our awesome tax expert @Hal_Al . The key is that they are not required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution.