Update: Mid-February filing for IRS form 8863 to claim education credits

Here is some new information that many taxpayers, especially parents and students, may find useful.

Taxpayers using IRS form 8863 to claim Education Credits (American Opportunity Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit) will be able to file their returns in mid-February, according to IRS spokesman Mark Hanson.

Previously, the IRS has informed taxpayers that the agency will be able to process most federal income tax returns starting Jan. 30.  See: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Offers-Tips-to-Help-Taxpayers-with-the-January-30-Tax-Season-Opening

However, there were some exceptions.  The Education Credits were one of those exceptions.  The IRS now has a more specific timeline for when computer systems will be updated and prepared to process tax returns claiming Education Credits, according to Hanson.

Typically through the mid-February period, about 3 million tax returns include Form 8863, less than a quarter of those filed during the year, Hanson said.