Yes, you can theoretically claim the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) without a 1098-T, but there is a major "catch" regarding the school’s eligibility that likely explains why TurboTax is blocking you.
To claim the credit, the school must be an "eligible educational institution." By law, this means the school must be eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s student aid programs (FAFSA). If a school does not have a Federal ID (EIN) or refuses to provide one, it is often a sign that they aren't an accredited "eligible institution" for federal tax purposes.
The IRS only allows the LLC for schools that are accredited and recognized by the Department of Education. Many private esthetician or beauty schools are "licensed" but not "accredited" for federal financial aid.
The Test: Search the Federal Student Aid Database (DAPIP). If your daughter's school is not in this database, you cannot claim the credit, regardless of how much you paid.
The "Other Students" Claim: When the school says other students have filed successfully, they may be right—but those students may be at risk of an audit. If the school doesn't have an EIN, they are effectively "off the grid" for the IRS education credit system.
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