Hi - I am not sure if anyone has already asked this question on this forum or not but I could find the answer I am looking for, so here it goes:

From Jan. 2008 to Oct. 2008 I was on my CPT (International Student on F-1) and paid about $8000 for my tuition. Now, I thought I could claim the entire amount but just now I heard from someone that I could only claim a certain amount and not the full $8000 that I had paid.

Can someone please help me on this and let me know how much (if not full 8000) can I claim ?


Thanks in advance

On F1/OPT you are exempt from residency for 5-years. You must file non-resident tax return Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ and Form 8843.

Your income is not subject to FICA taxes but you must pay federal and state income taxes.

On the nonresident tax return, you will not get tuition and fee deduction.

Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: U.S. Tax Filing Requirements for Non-Residents (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/03/us-tax-filing-requirements-for-non.html)

On F1/OPT you are exempt from residency for 5-years. You must file non-resident tax return Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ and Form 8843.

Your income is not subject to FICA taxes but you must pay federal and state income taxes.

On the nonresident tax return, you will not get tuition and fee deduction.

Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: U.S. Tax Filing Requirements for Non-Residents (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/03/us-tax-filing-requirements-for-non.html)

Thanks very much for the answer..

So looks like I can't claim my tuition since I am going to file NR 1040/1040EZ and 8843