Am I able to deduct mileage driving to and from my unpaid internship at a non-profit for my master's degree?

[mamjmb]

I am in my final year of obtaining my master's in counseling. I live in the state of Michigan and I am doing my internship at non-profit. I have heard that I am able to deduct my mileage on my taxes. Is this true and would this be under education expenses?

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

No. Transportation related to education is not a qualified education expense.  You can't include education expenses to qualify for the American Opportunity Credit, or Lifetime Learning Credit, or to reimburse using tax-deductible withdrawals from a 529 plan. 

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/qualified-ed-expenses

As far as a work-related expense deduction, you can't deduct expenses from income you were never paid, so if this is an unpaid internship, you can't deduct mileage to get there.  (If it was paid, you might be able to deduct mileage depending on how the income was reported.)

[mamjmb]

Thanks for the information!