topic College student living expense deductions in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

College student living expense deductions

jsburkefam — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:02:13 GMT

I have twins at separate universities. We pay for all of their rent and living expenses. Is this deductible?

Re: College student living expense deductions

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:57:23 GMT

Rent and living expenses are not qualified education expenses. If they have a 529 or some other sort of education savings plan you might be able to use the rent, and some expenses for food.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899852-what-are-considered-qualified-education-expenses

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2976047-what-are-examples-of-education-expenses

Re: College student living expense deductions

Carl — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:57:23 GMT

Probably not. The only deductible out-of-pocket expenses are referred to as "qualified education expneses". Those are tuition, books, and lab fees. While lab fees is a rather broad category, things like rent, utilities, food and transportation are not deductible.

Now, is there a Coverdell or 529 plan involved here? If so, that changes things. If not, I"m not going to waste your time discussing what won't apply to you anyway.

Re: College student living expense deductions

leeloo — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:57:27 GMT

No.

You cannot take a deduction for:

Room and board, optional fees (such as for student health insurance), transportation, or other similar personal expenses.
Course-related books and supplies, unless you are required to buy them directly from the school.

Re: College student living expense deductions

jsburkefam — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:25:50 GMT

Thank you all so much! I really appreciate the feedback. Squared me away on what I needed.