Should I file a tax return for a online college and a junior college?
Posted on June 26, 2009 by admin
A P asked:
My online college says since they are considered less then part time, I cannot file a tax return. I paid about 1500k and I believe I should get a tax break for education. I also attended a junior college, and paid around $400. I haven’t received anything from the junior college. Can I still file these two amounts on my tax return to get a tax break for education?
My online college says since they are considered less then part time, I cannot file a tax return. I paid about 1500k and I believe I should get a tax break for education. I also attended a junior college, and paid around $400. I haven’t received anything from the junior college. Can I still file these two amounts on my tax return to get a tax break for education?
You can file a tax return even if you were not a student at all. However, I am not aware of any tax break for a “college” that only offers classes online. Some tax breaks are allowed only for a “real” college with a campus, classrooms, etc.
You should contact the junior college and ask why they have not sent you anything.
Read up on the rules for “eligible institution” in publication 970 for lifetime learning credit. Either they qualify or they don’t. If they don’t, you can’t use the tuition.