college search deductions?

[Debruns]

<p>I was in the supermarket today and bumped into someone that is a part time H&R Block tax guy. We briefly discussed college info (he has a freshman in college) and as he was walking out, he yelled to me to remember to take off all the college search deductions, appllication fees, gas on trips, etc. I couldn’t ask him more, but I never heard of this. Are there deductions for before you get into college that anyone has heard of? Thanks!</p>

[emeraldkity4]

<p>not that I have heard of
you can deduct some things still that are associated with college- like when you directly donate money- but never have I heard that application fees or transportation can be deducted</p>

<p>some examples of covered expenses

Related expenses. Student-activity fees and expenses for course-related books, supplies, and equipment are included in qualified education expenses only if the fees and expenses must be paid to the institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance.
In the following examples, assume that each student is an eligible student and each college or university an eligible educational institution.

note that books are only covered if you must purchase them from the institution</p>

<p>

Expenses That Do Not Qualify</p>

<p>Qualified education expenses do not include amounts paid for:</p>

<p>Insurance,</p>

<p>Medical expenses (including student health fees),</p>

<p>Room and board,</p>

<p>Transportation, or</p>

<p>Similar personal, living, or family expenses.</p>

<p>This is true even if the amount must be paid to the institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance.

</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch06.html#d0e6070[/url]”>http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch06.html#d0e6070&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[Debruns]

<p>Thanks for the link, I didn’t think so, but obviously someone has been getting it off their taxes…</p>

[scottaa]

<p>IRS publication 970 pages 33-38 covers available deductions. I suppose it could be interpreted in the described fashion, but I’d want to double check it with an accountant. Of course, so much of tax law is taking actions in good faith until someone proves otherwise.</p>