:: Classroom Courses

Policies

Tax Credits

The following information is provided as an explanation only and should not be construed as tax advice. Please note you will receive a 1098T form after January 1 for any courses taken the previous calendar year. The amount you paid will not be filled in for University Extension courses; you are responsible for reporting accurately to the IRS the amount you spent on your courses.

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 created two education tax credits for students and families:

The Hope Tax Credit provides up to $1500 per student for qualified tuition and related expenses for the first two years of post-secondary education. To be eligible, students must be enrolled at least halftime in a degree program or certificate-granting program.

The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit is more broadly applicable to any post-secondary education to acquire or improve job skills. It provides a credit equal to 20% of qualified expenses of no more than $5000 per taxpayer (i.e., family).

Any of University Extension’s certificate programs should qualify for either credit if you meet the other criteria. Any of the college courses taken for professional development should qualify for the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. Check with your tax advisor about whether college courses taken with University Extension would qualify for the more restrictive Hope Tax Credit.