My wife is in cosmetology school and paid out of pocket for an eyelash certification course. Can we claim that on our taxes (filing jointly)?

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

Probably not.  Only tuition to eligible schools can be deducted.  I doubt that is an eligible school.

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/eligible-educational-ins...

[kazzybro1]

the certification course was from a private company.

[KrisD15]

You  will have to ask the school if they are an eligible education institution. 

If they are, enter the expenses under Federal, Deductions & Credits, Scroll down to Education 

According to the IRS:

“Eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution is any college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. It includes virtually all accredited public, nonprofit, and proprietary (privately owned profit-making) postsecondary institutions.

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 U.S. Department of Education.

The educational institution should be able to tell you if it is an eligible educational institution.”