Lifetime Learning Credit

[tasshroll]

I took a real estate course in 2019 from AZ School of Real Estate and Business. They do not participate in federal student aid programs with the US dept of education.

Can I enter the cost of this course ($500) as a education expense (less than half-time) in order to receive the Lifetime Learning Credit?

My understanding is that the institution offering the course must be considered an eligible educational institution. Per IRS.gov, an eligible educational institution is a school offering higher education beyond high school. It is any college, university, trade school, or other post secondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program run by the U.S. Department of Education.

[SusanY1]

If the school is not one that participates in the U.S. Department of Education run student aid programs, it is not eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit. 

If you began a career as a real estate agent after this course, and have any 1099-MISC income you can, however, list this as a business expense to reduce your self-employment income.