Tax Write Offs, items and costs needed for Nursing School

[colleen10]

Hi everyone,

Something came to mind today and I thought that I would ask "yinz" and see if you knew anything.

I am getting ready to start clinicals this Fall and right now I am in the process of completing the pre-requisites like background check, CPR certification, vaccinations, etc. and hopefully I'll soon be getting info. on uniforms.

I was wondering if anyone knew if the costs of any of this stuff was a "Tax Write Off" for next years taxes.

I know that items for "Work" like shoes, uniforms, etc. can be a write off and wondered if the same was true for school. Also, I know that classes I have been taking like Micro, etc. that I have paid for in full and up front have also been used as write offs and was wondering if the "CPR" class I have to pay for could be too.

And what about the cost of doctors visits, background checks, etc. that the student must pay for out of pocket to get into school?

If anyone knows for sure I'd be interested in knowing. I'm not trying to be a tight wad, but I can see that these things are slowly but surely adding up.

Col

[werlp]

Ok, let's see what I can do here. Before going to nursing school I was a tax accountant at a CPA firm. Let me see:

Any money you pay towards your tuition can be used towards a credit on your taxes. The form you would want is 8863. Your school should send you a 1098-T, but if they don't you can use your receipts. If this is your first two years, you can take the Hope Credit which is worth more money. If not, you take the Lifetime Learning Credit. This is only for money on tuition.

From the IRS form:

Qualified education expenses do not include amounts for:

Room and board, insurance, medical expenses (including student health fees), transportaion, or other similar personal, living, or family expenses.

Course-related books, supplies, equipment, and non academic activities, except for fees required to be paid to the institution as a condition of enrollemnt or attendence.

Any course or other education, involving sports, games, or hobbies, or any noncredit course.

Because of the preceding quote from the IRS you cannot claim books, medical appointments or CPR course (if it was non credit).

If you itemize, you can claim the medical expenses, but only if they are over 7.5% of income.

Hope this helps.