Does a coding bootcamp count as higher education?

[asavadejkajorn]

I previously did not work in a filed that involved being a developer in any way. I went to a coding bootcamp the past year and got a job as a software engineer. Can i claim my tuition as a higher education expense?

[MayaD]

You might qualify for the the lifetime learning Education credit.

The lifetime learning credit (LLC) is for qualified tuition and related expenses paid for eligible students enrolled in an eligible educational institution. This credit can help pay for undergraduate, graduate and professional degree courses — including courses to acquire or improve job skills. 

To claim the  Education Expenses in TurboTax:

1. Open (continue) your return, if you don't already have it open.
2. Select Federal Taxes.
3. Go to Deductions and Credits.
4. Scroll down to Education and Select Start next to Expenses and Scholarships (1098-T)
5. On the Education Expenses screen, answer Yes to Did you go to college or vocational school?
6. Select the student whose name is on the 1098-T and answer the questions that follow (the type of degree, full-or half-time, etc.)

[Hal_Al]

 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

[fanfare]

If you got hired out of that bootcamp you got your money's worth.

Congratulations.