Tuition and Fees Deduction

You may be able to deduct qualified tuition and related expenses that you pay for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent. To determine whether your expenses are qualified, refer to Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education. You do not have to itemize to take this deduction because it is treated as an adjustment to income. You can claim qualified tuition and fees as either: (1) an adjustment to income, as directed above; or (2) a Hope or Lifetime Learning credit.

You cannot deduct higher education expenses on your income tax return if you or anyone else claims a Hope or Lifetime learning credit based on those SAME expenses.

You cannot claim a deduction or credit based on expenses paid with tax-free scholarship, fellowship, grant, or education savings account funds such as a Coverdell education savings account, tax-free savings bond interest or employer-provided education assistance. The same rule applies to expenses you pay with a tax-exempt distribution from a qualified tuition plan, except that you can deduct qualified expenses you pay only with that part of the distribution that is a return of your contribution to the plan. You cannot deduct qualified education expenses you deduct anywhere else on your return, such as a business expense. Also, you cannot deduct these expenses if your gross income exceeds certain limits explained in Publication 970

For more information on educational expenses or Education Tax Credits, refer to Chapters 11 & 12 of Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education. Information about other educational incentives can also be found in Publication 970.

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