Expenses

• Book costs are just one of many education-related deductions that you can take, as long as the expense was incurred while enrolled at a college or university and you fall within the permitted income brackets. According to the tax preparation service H & R Block, other types of qualifying expenses include any school supplies (paper, pencils, lab coats), as well as meals, lodging and transportation to school-related events, such as academic conferences.
  
  

Amounts

• You can deduct up to $4,000 in schoolbooks and other education-related expenses if your income is less than $65,000 (or $130,000 if you file jointly with your spouse). You can deduct up to $2,000 if you make less than $80,000 (or $160,000 if you are married and filing jointly). If you make more than $80,000, you cannot deduct schoolbooks from your taxes.
  
  

Forms

• You can deduct books from your taxes using the 1040 or 1040A form by listing the expenses under "Tuition and Education Deductions." For any deductions, you must have the appropriate records to back them up, which means that if you plan on deducting books, you must have the original receipts.
  
  

Credits

• If your income is above the limit for deducting books as an educational cost, you can probably still claim the Hope and Lifetime Learning credit. The credit generally does not cover the cost of books but will help you defray the cost of tuition.