1040-US: Accessing the education expense optimization utility

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The Education Expense Optimization utility is currently disabled because the tuition and fees tax deduction has expired. If the deduction is extended, the utility will again be available.

Question

How do I access the Education Expense Optimization utility?

Answer

You can access the Education Expense Optimization utility from the Utilities menu. However, the menu option will not be available in the following cases.

  • The return is a 1040NR (the tuition and fees deduction and education credits are not available on Form 1040NR), 1040-PR, or 1040-SS.
  • The filing status is married filing separate (the tuition and fees deduction and education credits are not allowed if the filing status is married filing separate).
  • The return is a dual status return.
  • Education Expense Optimization codes (Ed Exp Code) have not been entered in the Eligible student information statement dialog in Screen Educate. At least one item with an Ed Exp Code of 4 (Optimize between the American Opportunity Credit and the Tuition and Fees Deduction) or 5 (Optimize between the Lifetime Learning Credit and the Tuition and Fees Deduction) must be present to use the utility.

Related topic: Education expense optimization FAQs (1040)

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