I attended university in another country last year. Can I deduct educational expenses on my taxes?

[SabrinaD2]

Yes, you can potentially deduct educational expenses on your taxes, even if you attended university in another country. Here are some key points to consider:

Eligible Educational Institution: 

• The foreign university must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and participate in Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs. You can check if your university qualifies using the Federal Student Aid website.
• Form 1098-T: You should receive a Form 1098-T from your university, which reports the amount of tuition paid. This form is essential for claiming education credits like the American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit. You can find more information about the requirements for these credits on the IRS website.
• Income Limits: Ensure you meet the income limits for the education credits. For single taxpayers, the income limits for 2024 are as follows:
  • American Opportunity Credit/Life-time learning credit: Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be below $90,000 to claim the full credit, and below $80,000 to claim a partial credit.

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

You cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit if the school is unable to provide a U.S. Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN or FEIN).  You can still claim the Lifetime Learning Credit if the foreign school is on Dept. of Education (DE)  list.