Can't file taxes with Education Credits?

I also filed my taxes early. January 26th actually even though the IRS doesn't

start processing them until the 30th. I also had an education credit. When I filed they told me there was a delay but I didn't know why or how long it would take. But they told me since I filed early they would process it in the order it was received so from what I've read, it's sounds like mid feb until they can get processed which makes me a little upset bc I filed as early as possible to get my return the quickest I could. So for those of you that have these credits or other similar credits I would try to file ASAP bc they take them in the order they get them. Also, in some cases if it takes longer to get your federal it could also take just as long for your state as well. 😒 This wasn't an issue last year so it's super annoying that paying college students have to wait longer than others to get our well deserved money back from the IRS. So now I'm just playing the waiting game as well and all turbo tax told me to do was to keep checking my email which I already do a thousand times a day lol. I hope whoever you're doing your taxes thru lets you file soon!! Oh and one more thing, it would be a good idea to e-file and have the money direct deposit into your checking or savings account or if you don't have one there are ways to get the money put on a Visa card or something like it. Otherwise if you opt for a paper check it will take much longer and I'm sure you don't want to wait any longer than you have to. 😉 Good luck!!

IR-2013-10, Jan. 28, 2013

WASHINGTON — As preparations continue for the Jan. 30 opening of the 2013 filing season for most taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that processing of tax returns claiming education credits will begin by the middle of February.

Taxpayers using Form 8863, Education Credits, can begin filing their tax returns after the IRS updates its processing systems. Form 8863 is used to claim two higher education credits -- the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

The IRS discovered during testing that programming modifications are needed to accurately process Form 8863. Filers who are otherwise able to file but use the Form 8863 will be able to file by mid-February.

Forms that will be able to be filed later are listed on IRS.gov.

Updated information will be posted on IRS.gov.

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Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 30-Jan-2013

Hope that you the above enclosed information useful. 02/03/2013

I have filed and the taxes are not being rejected they just advise you that you have to wait until mid-February to transmit your returns. Just wait the couple of extra days it's not even a long process. You are only waiting for the IRS to update the education credit form. It's not a long wait.

I have been waiting on a response from the IRS on my taxes and still nothing so I just called taxslayer.com's customer service. They said it will be mid February to early March before the IRS is accepting returns with the Hope, Lifetime Learning, or American Opportunity education credits. I checked the IRS website and it says mid February; no exact date is given. :(

You can submit your taxes now but they will not be accepted until mid-February, they will not be rejected they will be transmitted to the IRS but the IRS will not process them until the proper time. There is no way around this, I've tried! I would go ahead and submit them because they will be processed in the order in which they are received so you won't loose your place in line so you won't have to wait behind all the people who submitted them already and are waiting. I used Turbo Tax and they assured me that as I would not loose my place in line.

If you file with the education credit your return will be rejected. If you remove the education information and file, you will lose money. I personally would wait the extra time, why give away money. :)

I received the same message and I filed anyway so I could be the first in line when the time comes for them to be processed.

It doesn't matter who answers your question it won't change the answer.