Comments on: Can I use my tuition and books as a tax deduction?

By: Mary's Oblate

Mary's Oblate — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:12:59 +0000

if you education is related to your job, and your employer does not reimburse you.

By: RUSerious

RUSerious — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:26:35 +0000

If you paid tuition, you should receive a 1098-T which will show the amount you paid for tuition. This will then allow you to claim either a “Hope Credit” or a “Lifetime Credit”. Which credit you use depends on how many times you have claimed a tuition credit.
Books, unless they are included in the tuition, are not deductible nor can you claim a credit for them.

By: Wayne Z

Wayne Z — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:23:05 +0000

Tuition is a deduction but books usually aren’t. Books are deductible if they are required to be purchased from the school. I have never seen this.

You can either tax the “Tuition and Fees” deduction or an education credit (Hope or Lifetime Learning).

Unfortunately, due to the AMT fix, the IRS will not be accepting returns with education credits until mid-February.