How can independent daughter deduct full tuition she paid out of pocket? No loans, all payment. Outside of the 1098T? Can't believe someone in poverty can owe in taxes!

[Julesbe67]

She made less than 20k entire year, tuition was 11k.  She paid on a payment plan as student loans ran out the year before.  How can she claim these direct payments?

[KittyM]

Enter your 1098-T exactly as you see it on the form. Her qualified education expense includes all amounts paid to the school whether through scholarships, grants, student loans, or your own funds. Only the amounts actually paid (not the amounts billed) qualify for the credit.

If either box 1 or 2 does not reflect your total tuition expense, select What if this is not what I paid to this school? below box 2 to enter the correct amount