Can I claim a charge from December 2009 on my 2010 taxes?

I paid for some school books in December of 2009 on a Credit Card and it shows up on my January 2010 Statement. The books were for the 1st semester of 2010 but the actual transaction date is Dec 15th 2009. But the charge is around $700 and now people can claim books as an expense. Just wondering if it is ok for my to claim this expense on my 2010 taxes.|||No. But if you qualiied for the American Opportunity Credit for 2009, you can amend your 2009 return and claim it there.|||Technically, no. The deduction is in the year that you made it, not in the year that you paid the credit card bill, and not in the year that you took the class that used the books.





In the extremely unlikely chance that you get audited, if you make a mistake and claim the deduction in the wrong year (but don't deduct it in both), then at most you will just get the deduction disallowed and you'll owe income tax on the $700.|||when you charged them on your credit card, the books were paid for(by the credit card company)


you now owe the credit card company for all your purchases|||No. If it is worth it you can amend your 2009 and take it.