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No Tax Credit for Reimbursed Education Expenses

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Question:

 As an executive at a mission agency, I am working on a doctorate. In 2013, I incurred $1,200 of qualified education expenses (tuition, fees, and books). My employer paid these education expenses directly as part of an educational assistance program. Can I claim any kind of education credit or deduction for these expenses?

 Answer:

 Unfortunately, no. According to IRS Publication 970, "You cannot use any of the tax-free education expenses paid for by your employer as the basis for any deduction or credit, including the American opportunity credit and lifetime learning credit."

 Generally, "Qualified expenses are amounts paid for tuition, fees and other related expense for an eligible student that are required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution" (irs.gov). Qualified expenses paid by an individual may be eligible for tax deductions or credits.
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Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 12, 2014 at 6:06 PM

    Is it correct that there is no longer a tax credit or deduction for master's degree expenses?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 18, 2014 at 9:55 AM

    On Tuesday night, the U.S. Senate passed the "Tax Extenders" bill. Included in the Tax Extenders was the Tuition and Fees Deduction on Line 34 of Form 1040. President Obama is expected to sign the short-term bill, as it is retroactive for 2014 only.

    However, the better option for you would probably be the The Lifetime Learning Credit.

    ReplyDelete

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