Where do I enter post secondary education expenses?

godspell15 · ‎June 1, 2019

I want to enter books, internet, room and board for post secondary expenses. I see the area on Turbo Tax for elementary/secondary but not post secondary. It says it can be entered later in the education topic but I'm not led there by Turbo Tax.

xmasbaby0 · ‎June 1, 2019

Are you working on a state return? There is nowhere on a federal return to enter K-12 expenses.

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godspell15 · ‎June 1, 2019

Federal. Thank you

KrisD · ‎June 1, 2019

Right, without a 1098-T the TurboTax programs can't add books and supplies but you do have a right to claim those expenses. You'll need to use a tax accountant.

godspell15 · ‎June 1, 2019

Thank you

KrisD · ‎June 1, 2019

Education expenses for college expenses are usually entered initially with a 1098-T issued from the school. Once entered you can add additional expenses, such as books and supplies.

Room and board expenses would only be relevant to offset a 529 distribution (1099-Q).

College expenses and grad school expenses are treated differently tax-wise, but entered in the same "Education" section on the federal return under Deductions & Credits.

k-12 expenses would only be mentioned on a federal return to offset a 1099-Q, but might also be relevant on a state return.