Is tuition deductable in 2019?

Yes, education credits are available in 2019.

Education tax credits can help you with higher education costs by reducing the amount of tax you owe. There are two credits available, the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. We check both of them for you.

American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)

You can use this credit for the first four years of college when working towards a degree.

• Maximum credit is $2,500 per eligible student.
• Must be enrolled at least half time for at least one semester during the tax year.
• Up to $1,000 can be refunded to you.

Lifetime Learning Credit

There is no limit on the number of years you can use this credit for undergraduate, graduate and professional degree courses, including ones to improve job skills.

• Maximum credit is $2,000 per tax return.
• Can be used when you're only taking one class.
• You don't need to be working towards a degree.
• None of the credit is refundable.

The Tuition and Fees Deduction allows eligible taxpayers to deduct up to $4,000 in education expenses for themselves, their spouses, or their dependents. You don't need to itemize to get the deduction.

You're eligible for this deduction if you don't qualify for the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit, unless:

• You’re filing as single or head of household and your AGI exceeds $80,000.
• You’re filing jointly and your combined AGI exceeds $160,000.
• You’re filing separately from your spouse.
• Someone else, such as a parent, is eligible to claim you as a dependent on their tax return (whether or not they actually do it).

You also need to have qualified expenses, which include tuition, course-related books, supplies or equipment, enrollment fees, lab fees, and other expenses required to enroll or attend an eligible educational institution.

Things you can't claim:

• Room and board
• Extracurricular activities
• Student health fees
• Insurance
• Living expenses like food
• Housing, or transportation
• Fees for noncredit or "fun" courses not required to earn the degree

An eligible educational institution is any college, university, vocational school, or post-secondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the US Department of Education (which is pretty much every accredited post-secondary educational institution).