Hi, I forgot to file the tuition I payed out of my pocket. What do I do now?

[mhabtai]

I've payed over 10k from my pocket for tuition.

[KrisD15]

You may need to amend your return if you are eligible for an education credit you did not receive on the original return. 

Did you claim any education expenses on the original return? If so, how much? Did you get an education credit on the original return? 

You have 3 years from the date you filed your return (or 2 years after you paid the tax due, whichever is later) to file an amended return.

Please click here for how to amend a return you already filed

[Hal_Al]

Who are you; are you a student or are you the parent of a student?

If you are the student, can you be claimed as a dependent and do you have enough income to have a tax liability?

There's a new urban myth among college students that says they can get a $1000 from the government just for filing a tax form. For most of them, they simply aren't eligible. A full time unmarried student, under age 24, even if you don't qualify as a dependent, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. You usually must have actually paid tuition, not had it paid by scholarships & grants.  It is usually best if the parent claims that credit. 

You cannot claim a credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else.