Would this be a tax write off? a computer for school?

Question

and what about books brought on amazon.com to help learn school subjects?

Where does it say ion the irs website? why no

What types of educational expenses are deductible?

Deductible educational expenses include amounts spent for tuition, books, supplies, laboratory fees, and similar items. They also include the cost of correspondence courses, as well as formal training and research you do as part of an educational program. Transportation and travel expenses to attend qualified educational activities may also be deductible. For more information, refer to Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education; Chapter 12 and Tax Topic 513, Educational Expenses.



the books I can write off right from their website

3.1 Itemized Deductions/Standard Deductions: Autos, Computers, Electronic Devices (Listed Property)

My university required each incoming freshman to come to school with their own computer. Is there any way to deduct the cost of the computer from my tax liability?

The cost of a personal computer is generally a personal expense that is not deductible. However, if the school bills everyone, as a condition of attendance or enrollment, for proprietary computer devices and/or software available no where else, then this may qualify as an expense towards either the Lifetime Learning Credit or Hope Credit. For more information, refer to Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, Chapters 2 and 3.



from irs.gov

Thanks for the info I just was hoping it would of been because I did start off with online classes

Answer 1

A computer, and books and supplies, can only be used for education credits if you are required to buy them FROM THE SCHOOL as a condition of attending the classes. Just being required to have them does not qualify. Read the rules for education credits, in lots of publications - one place is IRS Publication 17, Chapter 35, the section on qualified education expenses.

To take these items as itemized deductions, they'd have to qualify as unreimbursed employee business expenses, which you don't give information for anyone to think would be allowed.

As far as the computer, read the IRS info that you quoted in your own question. You say that the school requires everyone to come to school with their own computer, then quote the IRS rules as saying the computer is only deductible if the school BILLS EVERYONE for it, which by your own words they didn't, they just required you to have one.

Answer 2

NO! You can deduct tuition and fees and nothing else. IRS instructions say "Qualified education expenses do not include amounts paid for: . . . course-related books, supplies, equipment. . " Only tuition and fess you paid.

Answer 3

Yes you can use them for tax write off!! You can use all kinds of school stuff for your taxes!!