Are sorority fees tax deductible if dependent is a full time student?

[angiewilson557]

I am claiming my daughter because she is a full time college student. She is in a sorority but does not live in the house. We had to pay fees for to participate in the sorority. Are those fees tax deductible?

[MaryK1 · Accepted solution]

No, unfortunately sorority fees are not deductible because the IRS considers them "personal expenses" in the same category as club memberships

[jaborkowski67]

What about paying my daughter living in the sorority house while she's a full-time student?

[Hal_Al]

Q. What about paying my daughter living in the sorority house while she's a full-time student?

A. That is not a qualified expense for a tuition credit or for tax free scholarship.

It is a qualified expense for 1 529 plan or ESA distribution. 

529 money can be use for off campus living, but you are limited to the lesser of your actual costs or the school's "allowance for cost for attendance" (basically what on campus students pay for Room & Board).

The student must be half time or more.