Education Education Tax Credit: Back-to-School Tax Savings & Deductions Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Written by TurboTaxBlogTeam Published Aug 16, 2023 - [Updated Jul 1, 2024] 5 min read Reviewed by Katharina Reekmans, Enrolled Agent School tuition and related fees, especially paying for college and a postgraduate degree, can be expensive. However, the tax code provides some relief via education tax credits and deductions to combat the ever-increasing price of these costs. You may be able to deduct qualified expenses paid during the year for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. Federal education tax deductions and credits focus on postsecondary education. If you have a child between kindergarten and high school, you may have to check with your state to find other benefits or financial aid options. For now, let’s focus on higher education and how paying for undergraduate, graduate, professional degrees and courses to improve or acquire job skills might impact your taxes. Table of Contents Education Tax Credits ExplainedTop Education Tax CreditsEducation Tax Deductions and ExpensesTake Advantage of Your Education Education Tax Credits Explained Any education credit helps reduce the amount owed on your tax return. That means they don’t directly pay your education expenses or student loan interest; instead, they take into account that you’re paying these fees and give you “tax breaks.” Here’s the background on education credits: Eligibility Criteria According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), not everyone is eligible to claim an education credit. You must be able to check all of these boxes: You, your dependent or a third party pay qualified expenses. The student is enrolled at an eligible educational institution. The student is you, your spouse or a dependent on your tax return. Qualified Expenses A qualified educational expense can be anything from tuition to required campus fees. Depending on the credit you claim, you may be able to include the cost of books, supplies and equipment, too. These expenses qualify whether you pay for them with cash/check/card or a loan. Qualified Educational Institutions A student needs a Form 1098-T showing they attend a qualifying college. Most accredited institutions count, such as public, nonprofit, and privately-owned for-profit schools. This includes: Colleges. Universities. Trade schools. Postsecondary educational programs. Top Education Tax Credits The two education tax credits available are the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. American Opportunity Tax Credit The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) is available to a large number of taxpayers. To claim the full credit, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be $80,000 or less (or $160,000 or less if you’re married filing jointly). You will receive a reduced amount of the credit if your MAGI is over $80,000 but more than $90,000 individually (over $160,000 but less than $180,000 married filing jointly). You can get a maximum credit of $2,500 for each qualifying student. To be a qualifying student to claim AOTC, the student must meet the following criteria: Be enrolled at least half-time for a minimum of one academic period beginning in that tax year. An academic period could be a semester, trimester, quarter, or even a summer school session. Pursue a degree or some recognized education credential if they want to claim this credit. Be in the first four years of higher education. Not have claimed this credit (or the former Hope credit) for more than four tax years. Cannot have a felony drug conviction at the end of the tax year. The credit is calculated based on a maximum of the first $4,000 worth of qualified education expenses per eligible student. The amount of credit is 100% of the first $2,000 you spend on qualified education expenses you paid for each eligible student. For the next $2,000 you spend on qualified education expenses, 25% is covered by the AOTC credit for a maximum total credit of $2,500. This applies to each eligible student — so if you’re a parent with multiple kids in college, you can claim the credit for each one. Better yet, part of this tax credit is refundable, meaning it can actually pay you by increasing your tax refund. If the credit brings your taxes owed down to zero, you can get 40% of any remaining amount of the credit added to your refund up to $1,000. Tip: Remember that you may be able to claim this credit for up to four tax years for each different student as long as it’s for different eligible education expenses. That’s one more reason it’s helpful to keep track of your paperwork, especially Forms 1098-E and 1098-T. Lifetime Learning Tax Credit Unlike the American Opportunity Tax Credit, you can claim the Lifetime Learning Credit for as many years as you pay qualifying expenses for undergraduate, graduate, professional degree courses and courses to improve or acquire job skills. While there is no limit on the number of years you can claim this credit on your tax return, it is worth up to $2,000 per tax return. Tip: While you can claim both of these tax credits on the same tax return, it can not be for the same student or the same qualified expenses. TurboTax will help you determine which education credits you qualify for depending on your tax situation. Education Tax Deductions and Expenses Although education tax credits are a golden opportunity to get a break from those college fees, you have other options, too — especially when it comes to loans and interest. Here are a few tax breaks you might qualify for: Student Loan Interest Deduction The federal government allows you to deduct up to $2,500 of the interest you repaid on your student loans. Better yet, you can do that each year. You’re only eligible for the deduction if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $90,000 for single filers and less than $185,000 if married filing joint. You will not be able to qualify for a student loan interest deduction if you are married and filing separately. Tip: Keep good records of all your expenses and spending over the tax year. This makes it easier to get the credits you deserve. Tuition Reimbursement If you’re a student with a job, you might have a leg up. Ask your employer if you are eligible for tuition reimbursement from your company. Take Advantage of Your Education Pursuing postsecondary education is a big step — and often a pricey one. Fortunately, you can take qualified tuition and related expenses down a peg with a few well-chosen credits, deductions and tax breaks. Previous Post Four Tax Tips for Teachers Next Post Writing Off Your Summer: Preparing For Next Tax Season Written by TurboTaxBlogTeam More from TurboTaxBlogTeam 172 responses to “Education Tax Credit: Back-to-School Tax Savings & Deductions” « Older Comments Newer Comments » Can elementary catholic education be deducted or is there a credit available? Reply Hi Danielle, Unfortunately the education deductions and credits are for eligible college education expenses. Your option for saving and paying for elementary education is to open a Coverdell ESA account. You can’t deduct the contributions, but the amounts grow in the account tax free. Here is more information http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Benefits-for-Education:-Information-Center Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply Can you get some credit back from school if the total amoutn used was around $1,000 for the fall? Would I qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit if I am using a student loan? Reply Hi David, Borrowed money will qualify for the education credits and deductions if you meet the other requirements. Here is more information http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Benefits-for-Education:-Information-Center Reply My daughter was denied the education tax credit, because “someone could have claimed her as a dependent.” She filed her own return and we did not claim her. Everything worked out as far TurboTax paperwork was concerned, but when the IRS looked at it they said no. This seems like a pretty big glitch. Reply Hi Kathleen, The term “some could have claimed her as a dependent” means just that; based on her age and income (under 23 and you provided more than half of her support), she could be a dependent on your tax return, even though you did not claim her. Without seeing exactly how she prepared her tax return, it is hard to say why TurboTax gave her the credit and the IRS did not. Reply my daughter is a graduate assistant-graduate student starting this fall. She had moving expenses (SD to CA) What kind of deductions can we claim fon her. We are still paying her living expenses Reply Hi Yvonne, Moving expenses for school and living expenses while in school are not deductible. You may qualify for tax credits or deductions for tuition, fees, and books, but not travel, room and board, insurance, or medical expenses. For more information on educations credits and deductions, see this blog post – https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2013/03/31/college-tax-breaks-to-take-before-the-tax-deadline/ Reply Good to now some answers…But even when i study how can i fill dem?when i fill the taxes..@ Reply would I still qualify for either American opportunity tax even if I received financial aid? Reply Why do people ask questions in the comment section? Do they really expect professional answers? Reply Yes Hi Victoria, If you had tuition expenses not covered entirely by your financial aid, you may still qualify for education credits. There is more information on the IRS.gov website – http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Education-Credits-AOTC-LLC Reply Hi Victoria, If your tuition expenses are more than your financial aid, you may qualify for an education credit. There is more information on the requirements at IRS.gov -http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Education-Credits-AOTC-LLC Reply Do I qualify for some deduction or tax credit if i take a loan for private school even if I’m already a university graduate? XXXXXXXXXXXplease respond Reply Hi Terry, According to Publication 970 – Tax Benefits for Education, you must be a candidate for a degree at an educational institution that “provides a program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s or higher degree, or offers a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; and is authorized to provide such a program and is accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation agency.” Your school will issue a form 1098-T showing your eligible expenses if it qualifies. Borrowed money will qualify for the deduction or credit. Reply If my daughter is filed as a dependent of my ex-wife, but I pay all the college expenses, can anyone claim the deduction? Reply Hi Jeff, According to IRS Publication 970 – Tax Benefits for Education, “Someone other than you, your spouse, or your dependent (such as a relative or former spouse) may make a payment directly to an eligible educational institution to pay for an eligible student’s qualified education expenses. In this case, the student is treated as receiving the payment from the other person and, in turn, paying the institution. If you claim an exemption on your tax return for the student, you are considered to have paid the expenses.” If you pay the money directly to your daughter and she pays for college, the result is the same. The person claiming the exemption for the student (in this case, your ex-wife) claims the education credit or deduction. Reply are any costs related to college searching deductible? Live in NJ and flying back and forth to Florida is expensive. Reply Hi Jim, Sorry, there is no deduction or credit for the college search. Reply does my daughter who is participating in a dual enrollment qualify for a tax credit or some type of deduction? Reply Hi Tina, Yes, she may qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Tuition or Fees deduction, or the Lifetime Learning Credit if she has eligible education expenses and no one else claims her as a dependent. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply if your daughter is in high school and going to college and you are claiming her on your return then you would have to claim all of her education tax credit with your return. even if she is going to file a tax return of her own she will not be able to claim her education tax credit with her return. « Older Comments Newer Comments » Leave a ReplyCancel reply Browse Related Articles Income Tax by State Indiana State Income Tax in 2025: A Guide Income Tax by State Arkansas State Income Tax in 2025: A Guide Income Tax by State Kansas State Income Tax in 2025: A Guide Income Tax by State North Carolina State Income Tax in 2025: A Guide Education Back-to-School Savings: Tax Tips for Parents and Students Income Tax by State Arizona State Income Tax in 2025: A Guide Business Taxes How to Deduct Business Expenses & What You Can Write Off Income Tax by State Kentucky State Income Tax in 2025: A Guide Income Tax by State Louisiana State Income Tax in 2025: A Guide Income Tax by State Maine State Income Tax in 2025: A Guide
Hi Danielle, Unfortunately the education deductions and credits are for eligible college education expenses. Your option for saving and paying for elementary education is to open a Coverdell ESA account. You can’t deduct the contributions, but the amounts grow in the account tax free. Here is more information http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Benefits-for-Education:-Information-Center Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
Hi David, Borrowed money will qualify for the education credits and deductions if you meet the other requirements. Here is more information http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Benefits-for-Education:-Information-Center Reply
My daughter was denied the education tax credit, because “someone could have claimed her as a dependent.” She filed her own return and we did not claim her. Everything worked out as far TurboTax paperwork was concerned, but when the IRS looked at it they said no. This seems like a pretty big glitch. Reply
Hi Kathleen, The term “some could have claimed her as a dependent” means just that; based on her age and income (under 23 and you provided more than half of her support), she could be a dependent on your tax return, even though you did not claim her. Without seeing exactly how she prepared her tax return, it is hard to say why TurboTax gave her the credit and the IRS did not. Reply
my daughter is a graduate assistant-graduate student starting this fall. She had moving expenses (SD to CA) What kind of deductions can we claim fon her. We are still paying her living expenses Reply
Hi Yvonne, Moving expenses for school and living expenses while in school are not deductible. You may qualify for tax credits or deductions for tuition, fees, and books, but not travel, room and board, insurance, or medical expenses. For more information on educations credits and deductions, see this blog post – https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2013/03/31/college-tax-breaks-to-take-before-the-tax-deadline/ Reply
Why do people ask questions in the comment section? Do they really expect professional answers? Reply
Hi Victoria, If you had tuition expenses not covered entirely by your financial aid, you may still qualify for education credits. There is more information on the IRS.gov website – http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Education-Credits-AOTC-LLC Reply
Hi Victoria, If your tuition expenses are more than your financial aid, you may qualify for an education credit. There is more information on the requirements at IRS.gov -http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Education-Credits-AOTC-LLC Reply
Do I qualify for some deduction or tax credit if i take a loan for private school even if I’m already a university graduate? XXXXXXXXXXXplease respond Reply
Hi Terry, According to Publication 970 – Tax Benefits for Education, you must be a candidate for a degree at an educational institution that “provides a program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s or higher degree, or offers a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; and is authorized to provide such a program and is accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation agency.” Your school will issue a form 1098-T showing your eligible expenses if it qualifies. Borrowed money will qualify for the deduction or credit. Reply
If my daughter is filed as a dependent of my ex-wife, but I pay all the college expenses, can anyone claim the deduction? Reply
Hi Jeff, According to IRS Publication 970 – Tax Benefits for Education, “Someone other than you, your spouse, or your dependent (such as a relative or former spouse) may make a payment directly to an eligible educational institution to pay for an eligible student’s qualified education expenses. In this case, the student is treated as receiving the payment from the other person and, in turn, paying the institution. If you claim an exemption on your tax return for the student, you are considered to have paid the expenses.” If you pay the money directly to your daughter and she pays for college, the result is the same. The person claiming the exemption for the student (in this case, your ex-wife) claims the education credit or deduction. Reply
are any costs related to college searching deductible? Live in NJ and flying back and forth to Florida is expensive. Reply
does my daughter who is participating in a dual enrollment qualify for a tax credit or some type of deduction? Reply
Hi Tina, Yes, she may qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Tuition or Fees deduction, or the Lifetime Learning Credit if she has eligible education expenses and no one else claims her as a dependent. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
if your daughter is in high school and going to college and you are claiming her on your return then you would have to claim all of her education tax credit with your return. even if she is going to file a tax return of her own she will not be able to claim her education tax credit with her return.