Education expenses incurred in 2019

[YanL]

I have a question, I had some education expenses, such as textbook purchases that occurred in 2019 for a program (school) I didn't start until spring 2020, how should I claim those? Which year do I claim them in? 2019 or 2020? And if for 2019, how? I don't have 1098 from that school for 2019 since school hadn't begun yet, we were asked to pay certain things to get ready for Spring. Any advice would be helpful!

[Hal_Al]

Since they were actually paid for in 2019, you claim the credit or deduction for 2019*.  When asked if you got a 1098-T, answer no but answer that you qualify for an exception.

Be aware: you may only claim the most generous tuition credit (AOC- American Opportunity Credit) a maximum of 4 times .  If you expect to be in school four more years, you may want to save the AOC for years with bigger expenses.  Use one of the other credit/deduction for 2019 expenses. 

*The general rule is that you must pay in the same year as the course were taken.  But the first term of the year (starting before March 30) is an exception.