Education expenses for state approved nursing reentry program

[ekilada]

Wife was enrolled in a state approved nursing reentry program in 2023. Are the tuition fees and text book expenses considered qualified education expenses? If so, what should i answer in the intuit app as of what did we use this money for. The options are: student used it to go to elementary school, college, apprentice program, etc (I didn't see anything that fits)

Could we have used 529 College saving plan for that?

Thanks.

[LeticiaF1 · Accepted solution]

Your wife going into a nursing reentry program will qualify as her going to college.  Both her tuition fees and textbook expenses qualify as education expenses.  There are two different education credits that you could claim. 

The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) for the first four years of college when working towards a degree.

• Maximum credit is $2,500 per eligible student
• Must be enrolled at least half-time for at least one semester during the tax year at an eligible educational institution
• Up to $1,000 can be refunded to you

The Lifetime Learning Credit for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree courses, including ones to improve job skills. This one has no limit on the number of years you can use it.

• The maximum credit is $2,000 per tax return
• Can be used when you're only taking one class at an eligible educational institution
• You don't need to be working toward a degree
• None of the credit is refundable

To read more about education credits see the following:

What education tax credits are available?

What are qualified education expenses for the American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits?

The 529 College Plan, could be used to pay for qualified education expenses for you, your spouse, or your children.  For more information on the 529 Plan see the TurboTax help article:

Information on 529 Plans