Lifelong Learning Credit for interns

[TwoShoes]

Considering tuition and fees were paid to the university in installments, one of which being in 2016, what paperwork would be necessary to claim the Lifelong Learning Credit as a graduating MS4/rising intern?  Our school's 1098T shows billed amounts that puts the entire tuition in 2015, but if I paid the second installment in 2016, I should be good for the LLC right?  In this case, should I ask for proof of payments from the registrar or would credit card statements suffice?

Thanks!

[jfoxcpacfp]

Your 1098T for 2016 should show the payment you made in 2016. You could go ahead and check with your registrar's office to confirm. You could also attach a statement of explanation to your 1040 next year but, hopefully, the IRS will have the correct information by then.

EDITED to add information just learned: IRS has just lost a case where taxpayer claimed the amount paid through student loans which differed from the lower amount shown on 1098-T as billed (Terrell, TC Memo, 2016-85). Legislation enacted last December requires schools to report payments received but they have been given extra time to update their software. You should be fine.