Can I claim college or education expenses if my parents paid for them?

by TurboTax •   600
Updated March 17, 2026 3:51 PM

Yes, but only if your parents (or somebody else) aren’t claiming you as a dependent. If you're already on somebody's return as a dependent, you can't claim those expenses.

Found what you need?

Already have an account? Sign in

(4.7/5 | 192,377 reviews)

TurboTax flag icon

Unlock tailored help options in your account

Person smiling while representing TurboTax

Get answers to all your tax questions

Our experts are available on-demand, no appointment needed. Get help all year long with TurboTax Expert Assist.

Intuit Logo
TurboTax LogoCreditKarma LogoQuickBooks LogoMailChimp Logo

©1997-2026 Intuit, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intuit, QuickBooks, QB, TurboTax, Credit Karma, and Mailchimp are registered trademarks of Intuit Inc. Terms and conditions, features, support, pricing, and service options subject to change without notice.

Security Certification of the TurboTax Online application has been performed by C-Level Security.

By accessing and using this page you agree to the Terms of Use.