Lifetime learning Credit

[Sunz43]

I am being forced to upgrade to deluxe because I have a lifetime learning credit. I don't understand why I have this, I didn't last year and now all of the sudden i do and i can find anywhere to get rid of it. I'm also don't want to upgrade for one thing that i probably should even have a problem with.

[MayaD]

The lifetime learning credit (LLC) is for qualified tuition and related expenses paid for eligible students enrolled in an eligible educational institution. This credit can help pay for undergraduate, graduate and professional degree courses .

The Lifetime Learning Credit can give you up to $2,000 in tax credit. It allows you to claim up to 20% of your out-of-pocket college expenses, even if you only took one class this year. There are income limits and filing status restrictions for claiming the credit, but we’ll determine your eligibility and calculate everything for you.

If you don't want to claim the credit, you can remove it by deleting Form 8863 - Education Credits.  To do this please follow these steps:

TurboTax Online

1. While in your return, click on Tax Tools then Tools.
2. In the Tools Center, under Other helpful links click on Delete a form.
3. Click Delete next to the form you want to delete and follow the onscreen instructions. 

TurboTax CD/Download

1. Go into Forms Mode by clicking on the Forms icon in the top right of the blue bar. 
2. In the Forms in My Return list on the left, click on the form you wish to open and delete.
3. Click on the Delete Form box at the bottom of the screen.

[Sunz43]

I have followed your directions, and deleted form 8863. But it seems to not delete as when I go through and try to file after deleting it. It still gives me the prompt to upgrade and gives me no option not to.

[ErnieS0 · Accepted solution]

@Sunz43 If TurboTax is generating Form 8863 even after you delete it, that means TurboTax is pulling data from somewhere else.

1. Select Tax Tools in the left column
2. Then Tools
3. In the center box, click on Delate a form
4. Look for Form 1098-T Wks. Delete that if you have it

[fewest812]

I am also running into this issue. I deleted all of the forms that you suggested to delete, and am still not able to file without upgrading first. This is super frustrating... 

[JillS56]

Please clarify.   Are you trying to take a Lifetime Learning Credit and TurboTax is saying that you have to upgrade?

[Edima7]

I have the same problem. In the process of filing, I was told that I don't qualify for Lifetime learning Credit, but I'm now told to upgrade to Deluxe to be able to file online 

[Vanessa A]

You can delete the form 8863 from your return to skip upgrading.  To do this you will select the following

• Tax Tools
• Tools
• Delete a Form
• Delete next to your 1098
• Delete next to form 8863

[emilyanne5567]

instruction to remove the 1098-T doesn't work - still being FORCED to upgrade to deluxe version for a student who makes less than $5k/year.  TurboTax is Sh*t for students - recommend another service as recommended by the IRS

[JillS56]

Have you gone back to the entry screen for the education credit?   Follow these steps to see if this may get rid of it.

1. Go back into TurboTax if you are not already in Turbo Tax;
2. Go to the Federal section of the return;
3. Go to Deductions and Credits and scroll to Expenses and Scholarships (Form 1098-T) and click on Edit/Add;
4. The first screen will say You Can't Claim Tuition and Other Fees if you are not eligible for the credit.  Click Continue
5. The next screen should say Your Education Expenses Summary and click on Delete;
6. Click Continue;
7. You should be brought back to the Deductions and Credits screen.   If not, click through the following screens to get back to the Deductions and Credits screen.    Now run a Review and see if you have gotten rid of the request to upgrade.

[JZ75]

I had the same issue as you^ where they told me my lifetime learning credit = $0, then I was forced to upgrade. Then, I just deleted my 1098T altogether from the tax deductions page and was able to proceed to file free. It's okay not to file the 1098T at all, especially if it did not add anything to my tax return right? 

[AbrahamT]

Here's the deal. You do "NOT" have to file the 1098T tax return unless you wish to claim an education credit for the amount of tuition that you paid. So in your case, if it didn't affect your tax liability situation anyway since you are saying that "they"

told you. I am assuming that "they" is referring to Turbotax. In that case, you may go ahead and delete the 1098T form.