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New Member
posted Mar 30, 2020 3:43:40 PM

How do I add my tuition fees as a tax deductible

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2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 30, 2020 3:58:19 PM

If you paid tuition to a qualified educational institution, you should have received a form 1098-T.

 

And you should enter that form 1098-T on your tax return to claim education credits or deductions.

 

To enter your form 1098-T in TurboTax, follow these steps:

  1. Open your tax return
  2. Click on Federal in the left panel.
  3. Click on Deductions & Credits at the top
  4. Scroll down to the Education section. Click Show more 
  5. Select Start next to Expenses and Scholarships (Form 1098-T)
  6. On the next page, click on Add a Student. Or if the student has already been added, click on Edit next to the name of the student. After a few screens, answer Yes on the page Did [student] get a 1098-T for the year 2019?

Level 15
Mar 30, 2020 4:39:18 PM

Are you the student or the parent of a student-dependent?

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, 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.