Lifetime Learning Credit

[uncredited]

The lifelong learning credit allows you to pay tuition in 2025 even if your classes were in the first three months of 2026. TurboTax does not allow me to take the credit, because I cannot check the 2025 box (Box 1) on the tuition credit form. It says I have to check 2025 to get the credit. This is not correct according to the IRS.

[AmyC]

Tuition paid in 2025 qualifies for 2025 tax credit -whether it was for 2025 or the first 3 months of 2026. Form 1098-T is considered an informational form rather than an accurate tax form.

1. Return to the 1098-T entry. 
2. Edit
3. On the screen where you enter amounts for boxes 1, 4, 5, 6,  look at box 7. 
4. Check the box  7 for amounts paid for Jan - Mar 2026 included in box 1. If the school failed to check the box, you can check it.

To claim the Lifetime Learning credit, you cannot be MFS. In addition, the credit begins to phase out at $80,000 ($160,000 MFJ).