Question about College Books?

Question

I`m not too knowledgable about college books and taxes. Our tax person said that you get some tax return money for all your college class tuitions/book payments/class materials (like art supplies for art101). But my question is, when I went to buy my required book for eng101, I saw a german language book they use in the german college class. Now I don`t take the college german class but I have been in love with the language and have been teaching myself the language ever seen high school and thought, the best teaching method for learning german is with the college class book. So i bought it, putting both the german book and the eng101 book on the same check payment and receit. Will I still get tax return money for the german book even if I`m not taking a german class right now? I thought they might start asking questions about why I have 2 books on one receit but only one class I`m taking now. I mean, how do they know what I really need for college class? How do they know I`m buying a sketchbook and pencils from ac moore for art101 and not just for myself?

sorry i`m asking such a complicated question, but i want to be honest and need to know.

Answer 1

Basically, if you try to claim credit for books / expenses that aren't related to the classes you're taking , you would be in trouble.  

However,  you don't have to send in the receipt with your tax return.  

You'd be looking at taking the Hope credit or the lifetime learning credit.  You can look it up on the IRS website for more details

Answer 2

Many professors require more than one book for their classes