§25A — American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits
1 citing cases
Statute Text — 26 U.S.C. §25A
In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year the amount equal to the sum of—
the American Opportunity Tax Credit, plus
the Lifetime Learning Credit.
In the case of any eligible student for whom an election is in effect under this section for any taxable year, the American Opportunity Tax Credit is an amount equal to the sum of—
100 percent of so much of the qualified tuition and related expenses paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year (for education furnished to the eligible student during any academic period beginning in such taxable year) as does not exceed $2,000, plus
25 percent of such expenses so paid as exceeds $2,000 but does not exceed $4,000.
An election to have this section apply with respect to any eligible student for purposes of the American Opportunity Tax Credit under subsection (a)(1) may not be made for any taxable year if such an election (by the taxpayer or any other individual) is in effect with respect to such student for any 4 prior taxable years.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit under subsection (a)(1) shall not be allowed for a taxable year with respect to the qualified tuition and related expenses of an individual unless such individual is an eligible student for at least one academic period which begins during such year.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit under subsection (a)(1) shall not be allowed for a taxable year with respect to the qualified tuition and related expenses of an eligible student if the student has completed (before the beginning of such taxable year) the first 4 years of postsecondary education at an eligible educational institution.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit under subsection (a)(1) shall not be allowed for qualified tuition and related expenses for the enrollment or attendance of a student for any academic period if such student has been convicted of a Federal or State felony offense consisting of the possession or distribution of a controlled substance before the end of the taxable year with or within which such period ends.
For purposes of this subsection, the term “eligible student” means, with respect to any academic period, a student who—
meets the requirements of section 484(a)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (
20 U.S.C. 1091(a)(1)
), as in effect on the date of the enactment of this section, and
is carrying at least ½ the normal full-time work load for the course of study the student is pursuing.
No American Opportunity Tax Credit shall be allowed under this section for any taxable year in the disallowance period.
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the disallowance period is—
the period of 10 taxable years after the most recent taxable year for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer’s claim of the American Opportunity Tax Credit under this section was due to fraud, and
the period of 2 taxable years after the most recent taxable year for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer’s claim of the American Opportunity Tax Credit under this section was due to reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations (but not due to fraud).
In the case of a taxpayer who is denied the American Opportunity Tax Credit under this section for any taxable year as a result of the deficiency procedures under subchapter B of chapter 63, no American Opportunity Tax Credit shall be allowed under this section for any subsequent taxable year unless the taxpayer provides such information as the Secretary may require to demonstrate eligibility for such credit.
The Lifetime Learning Credit for any taxpayer for any taxable year is an amount equal to 20 percent of so much of the qualified tuition and related expenses paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year (for education furnished during any academic period beginning in such taxable year) as does not exceed $10,000.
The qualified tuition and related expenses with respect to an individual who is an eligible student for whom a 11 So in original. Probably should be “an”. American Opportunity Tax Credit under subsection (a)(1) is allowed for the taxable year shall not be taken into account under this subsection.
For purposes of paragraph (1), qualified tuition and related expenses shall include expenses described in subsection (f)(1) with respect to any course of instruction at an eligible educational institution to acquire or improve job skills of the individual.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit shall each (determined without regard to this paragraph) be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount which bears the same ratio to each such credit (as so determined) as—
the excess of—
the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year, over
$80,000 ($160,000 in the case of a joint return), bears to
$10,000 ($20,000 in the case of a joint return).
For purposes of this subsection, the term “modified adjusted gross income” means the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer for the taxable year increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933.
A taxpayer may elect not to have this section apply with respect to the qualified tuition and related expenses of an individual for any taxable year.
For purposes of this section—
The term “qualified tuition and related expenses” means tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of—
the taxpayer,
the taxpayer’s spouse, or
any dependent of the taxpayer with respect to whom the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under section 151,
at an eligible educational institution for courses of instruction of such individual at such institution.
Such term does not include expenses with respect to any course or other education involving sports, games, or hobbies, unless such course or other education is part of the individual’s degree program.
Such term does not include student activity fees, athletic fees, insurance expenses, or other expenses unrelated to an individual’s academic course of instruction.
For purposes of determining the American Opportunity Tax Credit, subparagraph (A) shall be applied by substituting “tuition, fees, and course materials” for “tuition and fees”.
The term “eligible educational institution” means an institution—
which is described in section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (
20 U.S.C. 1088
), as in effect on the date of the enactment of this section, and
which is eligible to participate in a program under title IV of such Act.
No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) to an individual unless the individual includes on the return of tax for the taxable year—
such individual’s social security number, and
in the case of a credit with respect to the qualified tuition and related expenses of an individual other than the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse, the name and social security number of such individual.
No American Opportunity Tax Credit shall be allowed under this section unless the taxpayer includes the employer identification number of any institution to which the taxpayer paid qualified tuition and related expenses taken into account under this section on the return of tax for the taxable year.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “social security number” shall have the meaning given such term in section 24(h)(7).
The amount of qualified tuition and related expenses otherwise taken into account under subsection (a) with respect to an individual for an academic period shall be reduced (before the application of subsections (b), (c), and (d)) by the sum of any amounts paid for the benefit of such individual which are allocable to such period as—
a qualified scholarship which is excludable from gross income under section 117,
an educational assistance allowance under chapter 30, 31, 32, 34, or 35 of title 38, United States Code, or under chapter 1606 of title 10, United States Code, and
a payment (other than a gift, bequest, devise, or inheritance within the meaning of section 102(a)) for such individual’s educational expenses, or attributable to such individual’s enrollment at an eligible educational institution, which is excludable from gross income under any law of the United States.
If a deduction under section 151 with respect to an individual is allowed to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year begins—
no credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) to such individual for such individual’s taxable year,
qualified tuition and related expenses paid by such individual during such individual’s taxable year shall be treated for purposes of this section as paid by such other taxpayer, and
a statement described in paragraph (8) and received by such individual shall be treated as received by the taxpayer.
If qualified tuition and related expenses are paid by the taxpayer during a taxable year for an academic period which begins during the first 3 months following such taxable year, such academic period shall be treated for purposes of this section as beginning during such taxable year.
No credit shall be allowed under this section for any expense for which a deduction is allowed under any other provision of this chapter.
If the taxpayer is a married individual (within the meaning of section 7703), this section shall apply only if the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s spouse file a joint return for the taxable year.
If the taxpayer is a nonresident alien individual for any portion of the taxable year, this section shall apply only if such individual is treated as a resident alien of the United States for purposes of this chapter by reason of an election under subsection (g) or (h) of section 6013.
Except as otherwise provided by the Secretary, no credit shall be allowed under this section unless the taxpayer receives a statement furnished under section 6050S(d) which contains all of the information required by paragraph (2) thereof.
Forty percent of so much of the credit allowed under subsection (a) as is attributable to the American Opportunity Tax Credit (determined after application of subsection (d) and without regard to this paragraph 22 So in original. Probably should be “this subsection”. and section 26(a)) shall be treated as a credit allowable under subpart C (and not allowed under subsection (a)). The preceding sentence shall not apply to any taxpayer for any taxable year if such taxpayer is a child to whom subsection (g) of section 1 applies for such taxable year.
The Secretary may prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this section, including regulations providing for a recapture of the credit allowed under this section in cases where there is a refund in a subsequent taxable year of any amount which was taken into account in determining the amount of such credit.
Treasury Regulations
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0Table of contents
This section lists captions contained in §§ 1.25A-1, 1.25A-2, 1.25A-3, 1.25A-4, and 1.25A-5.
(a) Amount of education tax credit.
(b) Coordination of Hope Scholarship Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit.
(1) In general.
(2) Hope Scholarship Credit.
(3) Lifetime Learning Credit.
(4) Examples.
(c) Limitation based on modified adjusted gross income.
(1) In general.
(2) Modified adjusted gross income defined.
(3) Inflation adjustment.
(d) Election.
(e) Identification requirement.
(f) Claiming the credit in the case of a dependent.
(1) In general.
(2) Examples.
(g) Married taxpayers.
(h) Nonresident alien taxpayers and dependents.
(a) Claimed dependent.
(b) Eligible educational institution.
(1) In general.
(2) Rules on Federal financial aid programs.
(c) Academic period.
(d) Qualified tuition and related expenses.
(1) In general.
(2) Required fees.
(i) In general.
(ii) Books, supplies, and equipment.
(iii) Nonacademic fees.
(3) Personal expenses.
(4) Treatment of a comprehensive or bundled fee.
(5) Hobby courses.
(6) Examples.
(a) Amount of the credit.
(1) In general.
(2) Maximum credit.
(b) Per student credit.
(1) In general.
(2) Example.
(c) Credit allowed for only two taxable years.
(d) Eligible student.
(1) Eligible student defined.
(i) Degree requirement.
(ii) Work load requirement.
(iii) Year of study requirement.
(iv) No felony drug conviction.
(2) Examples.
(e) Academic period for prepayments.
(1) In general.
(2) Example.
(f) Effective date.
(a) Amount of the credit.
(1) Taxable years beginning before January 1, 2003.
(2) Taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002.
(3) Coordination with the Hope Scholarship Credit.
(4) Examples.
(b) Credit allowed for unlimited number of taxable years.
(c) Both degree and nondegree courses are eligible for the credit.
(1) In general.
(2) Examples.
(d) Effective date.
(a) Educational expenses paid by claimed dependent.
(b) Educational expenses paid by a third party.
(1) In general.
(2) Special rule for tuition reduction included in gross income of employee.
(3) Examples.
(c) Adjustment to qualified tuition and related expenses for certain excludable educational assistance.
(1) In general.
(2) No adjustment for excludable educational assistance attributable to expenses paid in a prior year.
(3) Scholarships and fellowship grants.
(4) Examples.
(d) No double benefit.
(e) Timing rules.
(1) In general.
(2) Prepayment rule.
(i) In general.
(ii) Example.
(3) Expenses paid with loan proceeds.
(4) Expenses paid through third party installment payment plans.
(i) In general.
(ii) Example.
(f) Refund of qualified tuition and related expenses.
(1) Payment and refund of qualified tuition and related expenses in the same taxable year.
(2) Payment of qualified tuition and related expenses in one taxable year and refund in subsequent taxable year before return filed for prior taxable year.
(3) Payment of qualified tuition and related expenses in one taxable year and refund in subsequent taxable year.
(i) In general.
(ii) Recapture amount.
(4) Refund of loan proceeds treated as refund of qualified tuition and related expenses.
(5) Excludable educational assistance received in a subsequent taxable year treated as a refund.
(6) Examples.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0(a)Educational expenses paid by claimed dependent.
Educational expenses paid by claimed dependent.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0(b)Educational expenses paid by a third party.
Educational expenses paid by a third party.
(1) In general.
(2) Special rule for tuition reduction included in gross income of employee.
(3) Examples.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0(c)Adjustment to qualified tuition and related expenses for certain excludable educational assistance.
Adjustment to qualified tuition and related expenses for certain excludable educational assistance.
(1) In general.
(2) No adjustment for excludable educational assistance attributable to expenses paid in a prior year.
(3) Scholarships and fellowship grants.
(4) Examples.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0(d)No double benefit.
No double benefit.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0(e)Timing rules.
Timing rules.
(1) In general.
(2) Prepayment rule.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0(f)Refund of qualified tuition and related expenses.
Refund of qualified tuition and related expenses.
(1) Payment and refund of qualified tuition and related expenses in the same taxable year.
(2) Payment of qualified tuition and related expenses in one taxable year and refund in subsequent taxable year before return filed for prior taxable year.
(3) Payment of qualified tuition and related expenses in one taxable year and refund in subsequent taxable year.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0(g)Married taxpayers.
Married taxpayers.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0(h)Nonresident alien taxpayers and dependents.
Nonresident alien taxpayers and dependents.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-0(i)In general.
In general.
(ii) Recapture amount.
(4) Refund of loan proceeds treated as refund of qualified tuition and related expenses.
(5) Excludable educational assistance received in a subsequent taxable year treated as a refund.
(6) Examples.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-1Calculation of education tax credit and general eligibility requirements
(a) Amount of education tax credit. An individual taxpayer is allowed a nonrefundable education tax credit against income tax imposed by chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year. The amount of the education tax credit is the total of the Hope Scholarship Credit (as described in § 1.25A-3) plus the Lifetime Learning Credit (as described in § 1.25A-4). For limitations on the credits allowed by subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code, see section 26.
(b) Coordination of Hope Scholarship Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit—(1) In general. In the same taxable year, a taxpayer may claim a Hope Scholarship Credit for each eligible student's qualified tuition and related expenses (as defined in § 1.25A-2(d)) and a Lifetime Learning Credit for one or more other students' qualified tuition and related expenses. However, a taxpayer may not claim both a Hope Scholarship Credit and a Lifetime Learning Credit with respect to the same student in the same taxable year.
(2) Hope Scholarship Credit. Subject to certain limitations, a Hope Scholarship Credit may be claimed for the qualified tuition and related expenses paid during a taxable year with respect to each eligible student (as defined in § 1.25A-3(d)). Qualified tuition and related expenses paid during a taxable year with respect to one student may not be taken into account in computing the amount of the Hope Scholarship Credit with respect to any other student. In addition, qualified tuition and related expenses paid during a taxable year with respect to any student for whom a Hope Scholarship Credit is claimed may not be taken into account in computing the amount of the Lifetime Learning Credit.
(3) Lifetime Learning Credit. Subject to certain limitations, a Lifetime Learning Credit may be claimed for the aggregate amount of qualified tuition and related expenses paid during a taxable year with respect to students for whom no Hope Scholarship Credit is claimed.
(4) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this paragraph (b):
(c) Limitation based on modified adjusted gross income—(1) In general. The education tax credit that a taxpayer may otherwise claim is phased out ratably for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income between $40,000 and $50,000 ($80,000 and $100,000 for married individuals who file a joint return). Thus, taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $50,000 (or $100,000 for joint filers) may not claim an education tax credit.
(2) Modified adjusted gross income defined. The term modified adjusted gross income means the adjusted gross income (as defined in section 62) of the taxpayer for the taxable year increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933 (relating to income earned abroad or from certain U.S. possessions or Puerto Rico).
(3) Inflation adjustment. For taxable years beginning after 2001, the amounts in paragraph (c)(1) of this section will be increased for inflation occurring after 2000 in accordance with section 1(f)(3). If any amount adjusted under this paragraph (c)(3) is not a multiple of $1,000, the amount will be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $1,000.
(d) Election. No education tax credit is allowed unless a taxpayer elects to claim the credit on the taxpayer's federal income tax return for the taxable year in which the credit is claimed. The election is made by attaching Form 8863, “Education Credits (Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits),” to the federal income tax return.
(e) Identification requirement. No education tax credit is allowed unless a taxpayer includes on the federal income tax return claiming the credit the name and the taxpayer identification number of the student for whom the credit is claimed. For rules relating to assessment for an omission of a correct taxpayer identification number, see section 6213(b) and (g)(2)(J).
(f) Claiming the credit in the case of a dependent—(1) In general. If a student is a claimed dependent of another taxpayer, only that taxpayer may claim the education tax credit for the student's qualified tuition and related expenses. However, if another taxpayer is eligible to, but does not, claim the student as a dependent, only the student may claim the education tax credit for the student's qualified tuition and related expenses.
(2) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this paragraph (f):
(g) Married taxpayers. If a taxpayer is married (within the meaning of section 7703), no education tax credit is allowed to the taxpayer unless the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse file a joint Federal income tax return for the taxable year.
(h) Nonresident alien taxpayers and dependents. If a taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse is a nonresident alien for any portion of the taxable year, no education tax credit is allowed unless the nonresident alien is treated as a resident alien by reason of an election under section 6013(g) or (h). In addition, if a student is a nonresident alien, a taxpayer may not claim an education tax credit with respect to the qualified tuition and related expenses of the student unless the student is a claimed dependent (as defined in § 1.25A-2(a)).
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-1(a)Amount of education tax credit.
Amount of education tax credit. An individual taxpayer is allowed a nonrefundable education tax credit against income tax imposed by chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year. The amount of the education tax credit is the total of the Hope Scholarship Credit (as described in § 1.25A-3) plus the Lifetime Learning Credit (as described in § 1.25A-4). For limitations on the credits allowed by subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code, see section 26.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-1(b)Coordination of Hope Scholarship Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit—(1) In general.
Coordination of Hope Scholarship Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit—(1) In general. In the same taxable year, a taxpayer may claim a Hope Scholarship Credit for each eligible student's qualified tuition and related expenses (as defined in § 1.25A-2(d)) and a Lifetime Learning Credit for one or more other students' qualified tuition and related expenses. However, a taxpayer may not claim both a Hope Scholarship Credit and a Lifetime Learning Credit with respect to the same student in the same taxable year.
(2) Hope Scholarship Credit. Subject to certain limitations, a Hope Scholarship Credit may be claimed for the qualified tuition and related expenses paid during a taxable year with respect to each eligible student (as defined in § 1.25A-3(d)). Qualified tuition and related expenses paid during a taxable year with respect to one student may not be taken into account in computing the amount of the Hope Scholarship Credit with respect to any other student. In addition, qualified tuition and related expenses paid during a taxable year with respect to any student for whom a Hope Scholarship Credit is claimed may not be taken into account in computing the amount of the Lifetime Learning Credit.
(3) Lifetime Learning Credit. Subject to certain limitations, a Lifetime Learning Credit may be claimed for the aggregate amount of qualified tuition and related expenses paid during a taxable year with respect to students for whom no Hope Scholarship Credit is claimed.
(4) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this paragraph (b):
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-1(c)Limitation based on modified adjusted gross income—(1) In general.
Limitation based on modified adjusted gross income—(1) In general. The education tax credit that a taxpayer may otherwise claim is phased out ratably for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income between $40,000 and $50,000 ($80,000 and $100,000 for married individuals who file a joint return). Thus, taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $50,000 (or $100,000 for joint filers) may not claim an education tax credit.
(2) Modified adjusted gross income defined. The term modified adjusted gross income means the adjusted gross income (as defined in section 62) of the taxpayer for the taxable year increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933 (relating to income earned abroad or from certain U.S. possessions or Puerto Rico).
(3) Inflation adjustment. For taxable years beginning after 2001, the amounts in paragraph (c)(1) of this section will be increased for inflation occurring after 2000 in accordance with section 1(f)(3). If any amount adjusted under this paragraph (c)(3) is not a multiple of $1,000, the amount will be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $1,000.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-1(d)Election.
Election. No education tax credit is allowed unless a taxpayer elects to claim the credit on the taxpayer's federal income tax return for the taxable year in which the credit is claimed. The election is made by attaching Form 8863, “Education Credits (Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits),” to the federal income tax return.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-1(e)Identification requirement.
Identification requirement. No education tax credit is allowed unless a taxpayer includes on the federal income tax return claiming the credit the name and the taxpayer identification number of the student for whom the credit is claimed. For rules relating to assessment for an omission of a correct taxpayer identification number, see section 6213(b) and (g)(2)(J).
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-1(f)Claiming the credit in the case of a dependent—(1) In general.
Claiming the credit in the case of a dependent—(1) In general. If a student is a claimed dependent of another taxpayer, only that taxpayer may claim the education tax credit for the student's qualified tuition and related expenses. However, if another taxpayer is eligible to, but does not, claim the student as a dependent, only the student may claim the education tax credit for the student's qualified tuition and related expenses.
(2) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this paragraph (f):
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-1(g)Married taxpayers.
Married taxpayers. If a taxpayer is married (within the meaning of section 7703), no education tax credit is allowed to the taxpayer unless the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse file a joint Federal income tax return for the taxable year.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-1(h)Nonresident alien taxpayers and dependents.
Nonresident alien taxpayers and dependents. If a taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse is a nonresident alien for any portion of the taxable year, no education tax credit is allowed unless the nonresident alien is treated as a resident alien by reason of an election under section 6013(g) or (h). In addition, if a student is a nonresident alien, a taxpayer may not claim an education tax credit with respect to the qualified tuition and related expenses of the student unless the student is a claimed dependent (as defined in § 1.25A-2(a)).
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-2Definitions
(a) Claimed dependent. A claimed dependent means a dependent (as defined in section 152) for whom a deduction under section 151 is allowed on a taxpayer's federal income tax return for the taxable year. Among other requirements under section 152, a nonresident alien student must be a resident of a country contiguous to the United States in order to be treated as a dependent.
(b) Eligible educational institution—(1) In general. In general, an eligible educational institution means a college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary educational institution that is—
(i) Described in section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088) as in effect on August 5, 1997, (generally all accredited public, nonprofit, and proprietary postsecondary institutions); and
(ii) Participating in a Federal financial aid program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or is certified by the Department of Education as eligible to participate in such a program but chooses not to participate.
(2) Rules on Federal financial aid programs. For rules governing an educational institution's eligibility to participate in Federal financial aid programs, see 20 U.S.C. 1070; 20 U.S.C. 1094; and 34 CFR 600 and 668.
(c) Academic period. Academic period means a quarter, semester, trimester, or other period of study as reasonably determined by an eligible educational institution. In the case of an eligible educational institution that uses credit hours or clock hours, and does not have academic terms, each payment period (as defined in 34 CFR 668.4, revised as of July 1, 2002) may be treated as an academic period.
(d) Qualified tuition and related expenses—(1) In general. Qualified tuition and related expenses means tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of a student for courses of instruction at an eligible educational institution.
(2) Required fees—(i) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the test for determining whether any fee is a qualified tuition and related expense is whether the fee is required to be paid to the eligible educational institution as a condition of the student's enrollment or attendance at the institution.
(ii) Books, supplies, and equipment. Qualified tuition and related expenses include fees for books, supplies, and equipment used in a course of study only if the fees must be paid to the eligible educational institution for the enrollment or attendance of the student at the institution.
(iii) Nonacademic fees. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, qualified tuition and related expenses include fees charged by an eligible educational institution that are not used directly for, or allocated to, an academic course of instruction only if the fee must be paid to the eligible educational institution for the enrollment or attendance of the student at the institution.
(3) Personal expenses. Qualified tuition and related expenses do not include the costs of room and board, insurance, medical expenses (including student health fees), transportation, and similar personal, living, or family expenses, regardless of whether the fee must be paid to the eligible educational institution for the enrollment or attendance of the student at the institution.
(4) Treatment of a comprehensive or bundled fee. If a student is required to pay a fee (such as a comprehensive fee or a bundled fee) to an eligible educational institution that combines charges for qualified tuition and related expenses with charges for personal expenses described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the portion of the fee that is allocable to personal expenses is not included in qualified tuition and related expenses. The determination of what portion of the fee relates to qualified tuition and related expenses and what portion relates to personal expenses must be made by the institution using a reasonable method of allocation.
(5) Hobby courses. Qualified tuition and related expenses do not include expenses that relate to any course of instruction or other education that involves sports, games, or hobbies, or any noncredit course, unless the course or other education is part of the student's degree program, or in the case of the Lifetime Learning Credit, the student takes the course to acquire or improve job skills.
(6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this paragraph (d). In each example, assume that the institution is an eligible educational institution and that all other relevant requirements to claim an education tax credit are met. The examples are as follows:
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-2(a)Claimed dependent.
Claimed dependent. A claimed dependent means a dependent (as defined in section 152) for whom a deduction under section 151 is allowed on a taxpayer's federal income tax return for the taxable year. Among other requirements under section 152, a nonresident alien student must be a resident of a country contiguous to the United States in order to be treated as a dependent.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-2(b)Eligible educational institution—(1) In general.
Eligible educational institution—(1) In general. In general, an eligible educational institution means a college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary educational institution that is—
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-2(c)Academic period.
Academic period. Academic period means a quarter, semester, trimester, or other period of study as reasonably determined by an eligible educational institution. In the case of an eligible educational institution that uses credit hours or clock hours, and does not have academic terms, each payment period (as defined in 34 CFR 668.4, revised as of July 1, 2002) may be treated as an academic period.
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-2(d)Qualified tuition and related expenses—(1) In general.
Qualified tuition and related expenses—(1) In general. Qualified tuition and related expenses means tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of a student for courses of instruction at an eligible educational institution.
(2) Required fees—(i) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the test for determining whether any fee is a qualified tuition and related expense is whether the fee is required to be paid to the eligible educational institution as a condition of the student's enrollment or attendance at the institution.
(ii) Books, supplies, and equipment. Qualified tuition and related expenses include fees for books, supplies, and equipment used in a course of study only if the fees must be paid to the eligible educational institution for the enrollment or attendance of the student at the institution.
(iii) Nonacademic fees. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, qualified tuition and related expenses include fees charged by an eligible educational institution that are not used directly for, or allocated to, an academic course of instruction only if the fee must be paid to the eligible educational institution for the enrollment or attendance of the student at the institution.
(3) Personal expenses. Qualified tuition and related expenses do not include the costs of room and board, insurance, medical expenses (including student health fees), transportation, and similar personal, living, or family expenses, regardless of whether the fee must be paid to the eligible educational institution for the enrollment or attendance of the student at the institution.
(4) Treatment of a comprehensive or bundled fee. If a student is required to pay a fee (such as a comprehensive fee or a bundled fee) to an eligible educational institution that combines charges for qualified tuition and related expenses with charges for personal expenses described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the portion of the fee that is allocable to personal expenses is not included in qualified tuition and related expenses. The determination of what portion of the fee relates to qualified tuition and related expenses and what portion relates to personal expenses must be made by the institution using a reasonable method of allocation.
(5) Hobby courses. Qualified tuition and related expenses do not include expenses that relate to any course of instruction or other education that involves sports, games, or hobbies, or any noncredit course, unless the course or other education is part of the student's degree program, or in the case of the Lifetime Learning Credit, the student takes the course to acquire or improve job skills.
(6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this paragraph (d). In each example, assume that the institution is an eligible educational institution and that all other relevant requirements to claim an education tax credit are met. The examples are as follows:
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Treas. Reg. §1.25A-2(i)Described in section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.
Described in section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088) as in effect on August 5, 1997, (generally all accredited public, nonprofit, and proprietary postsecondary institutions); and
(ii) Participating in a Federal financial aid program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or is certified by the Department of Education as eligible to participate in such a program but chooses not to participate.
(2) Rules on Federal financial aid programs. For rules governing an educational institution's eligibility to participate in Federal financial aid programs, see 20 U.S.C. 1070; 20 U.S.C. 1094; and 34 CFR 600 and 668.
1 Citing Cases
ousehold and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment); sec. 22 (credit for the elderly and the permanently and totally disabled); sec. 23 (adoption expenses); sec. 24 (child tax credit); sec. 25 (interest on certain home mortgages); sec. 25A (hope and lifetime learning credits); sec. 25B (elective deferrals and IRA contributions by certain individuals); sec. 25C (nonbusiness energy property); sec. 25D (residential energy efficient property); sec. 27 (taxes of foreign countries a