If I paid off my $4,000 in student loans this year, but I am no longer enrolled (graduated, working), does that count as "paid college expenses or tuition"?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
March 28, 2025
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TurboTax Online

Best answer by Hal_Al

Q. If I paid off my $4,000 in student loans this year, but I am no longer enrolled (graduated, working), does that count as "paid college expenses or tuition"?

A. No. You "paid college expenses or tuition" when you used the loan money to make actual payments, back when you were in school. You, or your parents, if you were a dependent, should have claimed the tuition credit, or deduction, at that time. If you failed to do so because you thought "loan money didn't count", you can file amended returns going back three years (2021 must be amended by 4-15-25).

Vanessa A

No. In order to pay college expenses or tuition you would need to be enrolled in classes in the tax year and make the payments in the tax year. You cannot take an education deduction or credit for student loans that you used to pay tuition for previous years.

However, you may be able to take a student loan interest deduction if you qualify.

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xmasbaby0

Employee

If you paid interest on your student loans you can enter the interest that is on your 1098E. No, you cannot call paying off your loan paying tuition or expenses.

WHERE DO I ENTER STUDENT LOAN INTEREST

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-credits-deductions/enter-student-loan-interest-form-1098-e/L1QGfOUCp_US_en_US?uid=m6egbegu

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

Hal_AlAnswer

Employee

Q. If I paid off my $4,000 in student loans this year, but I am no longer enrolled (graduated, working), does that count as "paid college expenses or tuition"?