great question.
this is why there is no 8917 for 2018
and here's a line from the code section 222 which deals with the deduction
e)Termination
This section shall not apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
so at this point you can't claim the deduction for years after 2018.
and here's from an article posted in Dec 2019
The tuition and fee education tax deduction expired at the end of 2017 and has not yet been restored. As such, the information in this section is just a placeholder in the event that it is restored.
You would be able to claim a tax deduction if your income surpassed the Lifetime Learning credit thresholds.
Note that you cannot double-dip and claim a deduction on the same expenses that you have claimed a credit for. I cannot foresee a reason why you would opt for a tax deduction if you were eligible for a tax credit, as tax credits are superior to deductions. A credit subtracts the amount of taxes you owe, while a deduction subtracts your taxable income.
Eligibility: The student must be enrolled at least half-time in a program leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential for at least one academic period beginning during the tax year.
Deduction Amount: Up to $4,000 of the cost of tuition, fees and course materials paid during the taxable year per tax return. This deduction is an above-line adjustment to income, which means you can claim this deduction even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A.
How to Claim: Fill out your 1040 and add form 8917.
Income Limits: a taxpayer whose modified adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less ($130,000 or less for joint filers) can claim the deduction for the qualified expenses of an eligible student or for work related expenses. The deduction is capped at $2,000 if a taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds those amounts up to a modified adjusted gross income of $80,000 ($160,000 for joint filers), above which taxpayers cannot claim the credit.
Ineligible Expenses: You cannot receive a credit for: room and board, insurance, transportation, expenses paid with tax-free assistance, medical expenses, expenses used for another deduction or credit, and student fees that are not required as condition of enrollment or attendance.
