If I paid off my tuition from 2024 today, can I claim it on my 2024 taxes with the AOTC since I have not completed 4 years of college?

[kennyhooveriii]

I see it says you can claim books, supplies and equipment for 2024 taxes if it’s purchased in Jan-march of 2025, but it doesn’t say tuition is considered an expense. I want to pay off my tuition today because I have it on a payment plan and there is $700 left. I just started college full time in December of 2024 and have only made one payment so far. If I knew about this credit I would have paid it all off up front. Thank you!

[Hal_Al]

Q. If I paid off my tuition from 2024 today, can I claim it on my 2024 taxes with the AOTC?

A. No. You cannot claim a payment made in a  year later than the year the course was actually taken in.

But, it appears what you are calling "tuition from 2024" was actually only a bill for the winter 2024-2025 term. So since the classes were in 2025, you can count that payment on your 2025 tax return.  You are correct, you woulda been able to claim the AOTC in 2024 if you had made the payment then.  But, you are only allowed to claim the AOTC 4 times in your undergrad career, so you will probably still get 4 AOTCs. 

"I see it says you can claim books, supplies and equipment for 2024 taxes if it’s purchased in Jan-march of 2025". 

No, that's not correct. What is says is you can claim books, supplies and equipment purchased in 2024, for the first term in 2025, on your 2024 taxes. You can also claim tuition and fees paid in 2024, for the first term in 2025, on your 2024 taxes. 

[kennyhooveriii]

Thank @Hal_Al,

Does that mean I could claim the purchase for my new computer that I made earlier this month? I go to an online university and one of the requirements is a working computer. It was purchased a week or so ago for school. My first semester just started in December and I’m still in that semester right now. 

thank you! 

[Hal_Al]

Q. Does that mean I could claim the purchase for my new computer that I made earlier this month?

A. Yes, on your 2025 tax return.  A required computer is a qualified educational expense (QEE) for the American Opportunity Credit (AOTC), even if you are not taking online courses.

Q. I go to an online university. Is that eligible for an education credit?

A.  Schools that only offer online courses usually do not qualify.  Online classes taken at schools that also have  classroom instruction usually do count.  If they issue a form 1098-T, they probably qualify,

See if your school is on the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Post Secondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) or the Federal Student Loan Program list. (from IRS web site)

I find this tool easier to use, even though they say it's for 529 plans (it's the same list)

https://www.savingforcollege.com/eligible-institutions

[kennyhooveriii]

@Hal_Al 

I appreciate your help. Sounds like anything I do this month will have to be put onto my 2025 taxes. I was hoping I could claim this laptop purchase or the tuition payoff this month on my 2024 taxes since I started last year, but it looks like I missed out! 

have a great weekend.