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posted Jun 5, 2019 10:49:04 PM

Dorm living is a college requirement for freshmen students, is the cost deductible since its a requirement

I am wanting to include the cost of dorm room expense as a deduction since this university requires all freshmen to live in the dorms. if not we would have saved that expense and he would have lived at no cost at home.

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Intuit Alumni
Jun 5, 2019 10:49:05 PM

Even if required by the school, room and board is not a qualified education expense with regard to any of the education tax benefits (American Opportunity Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, Tuition and Fees Deduction).

The only possible tax benefit you could receive from paying the room and board expenses would be if you had a distribution from a 529 Plan or a Coverdell ESA that was used to pay for the room and board, then those expenses can be used to offset any taxable portion of the distribution. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3302307