I'm studying in Europe and have paid around 15000 in 2021 education expenses. I want to claim Lifetime Education Credit, which I can without 1098E. How to enter it in TT?

[chanturia]

The form to be completed is 8863, but usually, you use Form 1098E issued by the school. Because my university is European, I don't get 1098E. How do you advise entering information to claim Lifetime Education credit?

[Vanessa A]

You probably cannot claim the Lifetime Learning Credit. In order to claim the credit, your school must be listed as an eligible institution with the Department of Education. Since there are no European Schools listed, your school would not be eligible if it was in Europe.

[chanturia]

That's actually incorrect. 1098T is an information return and it doesn't state that you have to provide 1098T to claim a credit. In case of IRS asking you you simply have to provide proof of payments which I have plenty. If you look at the form 8863 LIfetime Credit section you'll see that it's not requireing information from or form 1098T. 

[Vanessa A]

It is not about the 1098-T, whether or not you received it. You can take an education credit using the information on your schools financial website if you have access to that information. You can also contact the Buspar's office to get the information. However, in order to take an education credit, you must have attended an eligible institution. 

If you do not attend an eligible institution you cannot take an education credit.

"Eligible Educational Institution

An eligible educational institution is generally any accredited public, nonprofit, or proprietary (private) college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary institution. Also, the institution must be eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the Department of Education. Virtually all accredited postsecondary institutions meet this definition.

An eligible educational institution also includes certain educational institutions located outside the United States that are eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the Department of Education. The educational institution should be able to tell you if it is an eligible educational institution" Form 8863 Instructions