topic Where do I add the educational books required for my class courses that I did not pay directly to my school? in Education

Where do I add the educational books required for my class courses that I did not pay directly to my school?

princessmichellemurphy — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 23:19:44 GMT

I paid for the books and bought them from Amazon, etc. but they were required for my course

Re: Where do I add the educational books required for my class courses that I did not pay directl...

DawnC — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 23:36:35 GMT

You can enter those amounts when you go through the Education section. After you enter the 1098-T for the school, you will be prompted to enter additional costs paid, including books and other items required for attendance.

Where do I enter my 1098-T?

More information on Education Credits

First 1098-T entry screen

Re: Where do I add the educational books required for my class courses that I did not pay directl...

princessmichellemurphy — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:09:42 GMT

Thank you Dawn, I went through all of the prompts but there is NO prompt asking me where to enter books and expenses that I DID NOT pay to the school. There is only the option to enter books, supplies, materials that were required and optional that were bought FROM the school.

Re: Where do I add the educational books required for my class courses that I did not pay directl...

KrisD15 — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:34:25 GMT

There are two Education Credits.

One credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit AOTC) uses expenses for books not purchased from the school.

The second credit is the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) and for that credit only books purchased from the school would count.

If you are not eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the program will not ask for the cost of books not purchased from the school.

HERE is a link that explains the different education credits.

Re: Where do I add the educational books required for my class courses that I did not pay directl...

princessmichellemurphy — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:46:36 GMT

KRISD15,

Thank you for your response I know that the AOP credit allows for books, etc. not purchased from the school. HOWEVER, Turbo tax DOESN’T bring up the prompt asking to enter the amount of educational expenses (books, materials, supplies) purchased from an outside source. It only has a prompt where you can enter amounts of books purchased FROM the School. I spent over 3 1/2 hours on the phone with TURBO tax telling them about the GLITCH. TURBO tax needs to FIX it and update there program. I was told by a turbo tax agent to enter the amounts for required books, etc. from an outside store into the boxes that say to enter amounts into the box for purchase of books paid to the school.

There is a GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM.

Re: Where do I add the educational books required for my class courses that I did not pay directl...

user17692672812 — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:10:29 GMT

Yea I’m getting the same problem don’t really know what to do really annoying cuz I’m done with my taxes basically and I guess Ima have to redo them somewhere else.

Re: Where do I add the educational books required for my class courses that I did not pay directl...

KrisD15 — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 01:02:13 GMT

Use REQUIRED for books and supplies that had to be purchased from the school.

Use OPTIONAL for books and supplies that could be purchased elsewhere.