Hope Scholarship Tax Credit

[NAP]

I am changing the topic slightly, so I decided to start a new post for this part.

In 2009, I was not enrolled in school and was taking only CLEP and DSST exams towards my first degree (as an individual, not through employment). I have looked at 4 tax breaks and was unable to find one that fits my situation. There are more in-and-outs to each, but here are the requirements I looked at in Publication 17:

Hope Scholarship Tax Credit –

1. “Student must be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period beginning during the tax year.”

2. “Tuition and required enrollment fees, including amounts required to be paid to the institution for course-related books, supplies, and equipment.”

American Opportunity Tax Credit –

1. “Student must be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period beginning during the tax year.”

2. “Tuition and required enrollment fees. Course-related books, supplies, and equipment do not need to be purchased from the institution in order to qualify.”

Lifetime Learning Tax Credit –

1. “Available for one or more courses”

2. “Tuition and required enrollment fees, including amounts required to be paid to the institution for course-related books, supplies, and equipment.”

Tuition and Fees Tax Deduction -

1. “A student enrolled at an eligible educational institution...”

2. “Tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance...” and “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.”

If anyone has found a tax benefit for taking exams (fees and/or books) while not being enrolled, please let us know.

*bold added