2024 Education credit for January 2025 enrollment?

[shine11]

My son graduation from high school in June of 2024 and then started college in January 2025. He enrolled in 2024, we paid tuition in 2024, and we received a 1098-T for 2024. Box 8 (at least half time student) is not checked. Can we take the education credit for 2024? If not, does that means we'll only be able to take the credit for 3 years, since we'll make the final tuition payment in 2028?

[MaryK4]

If he was enrolled in 2024, you can claim the educational tax credits.  

[Edited 04/12/2025 | 08:44 pm PST]

[Hal_Al]

Q. Can we take the education credit for 2024? 

A. Yes.  Tuition paid in 2024, for the first term of 2025, is eligible for claiming the education credit on your 2024 ta return.

You said "He enrolled in 2024". That's confirmed by the facts; the school billed you, accepted your payment and issued a 2024 1098-T. After entering the 1098-T, TurboTax (TT) will again ask if he was half time or more. Answer yes.  The box not being checked on the actual form does not prevent you from doing that (it is not a controlling document).

[shine11]

Thank you!!