Can we claim a deduction or credit for the money we contributed for our granddaughters undergraduate college tuition, fees, housing costs?

[tmark-johnson-co]

She files her own taxes.   She made no claim for education expenses since we paid them. She is a full-time student.

[Bsch4477]

You can’t deduct those costs if she is not your dependent. 

[xmasbaby0]

Unless you are claiming your granddaughter as a dependent on your own tax return, sorry, but you gave her a generous gift that is not deductible for you.

[Hal_Al]

She may count the money you paid, in claiming the tuition credit for herself.  Although the general rule, in taxes, is that you must be the one making the payment, to get the deduction or credit, there is an exception for education.

If she is still a dependent of her parent(s), then they may claim the credit based on what you paid, instead of her.