•
You can claim more than one education benefit in a tax year as long as you do
not use the same expenses for more than one benefit.
•
Exception: Qualified expenses used to claim education benefits can
also be used to eliminate the 10% penalty on premature IRA distributions.• You may claim only one of the following education tax benefits for the same student per year: tuition and fees deduction, American Opportunity Credit, or Lifetime Learning Credit.
Education Deductions.
Deductions
reduce the amount of income subject to income tax. Deductions for education
expenses include:• Tuition and fees deduction up to $4,000 from gross income. Income limitations apply.
• Student loan interest deduction up to $2,500 from gross income. Income limitations apply.
• Business deduction on Schedule C or F. You can deduct the cost of education related to the business or farm activity.
• Miscellaneous itemized deduction on Schedule A, subject to the 2% AGI limitation. You can deduct the unreimbursed cost of education required to keep your current job or maintain and improve skills needed for your job. You cannot deduct the cost of education that qualifies you for a new trade or business.
Note: The provision allowing a deduction from gross income for tuition and fees was set to expire after 2011. As of the date of printing, the provision had not yet been extended for the 2012 tax year.
Education Tax Credits
Tax
credits reduce the amount of income tax you may have to pay. Income limitations
apply. The education credits are claimed on Form 8863, Education Credits (American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits).• American Opportunity Credit, $2,500 maximum per student per year.
• Lifetime Learning Credit, $2,000 maximum per tax return per year.
Note: The Hope Credit applied to 2008 and earlier years. It was replaced by the more generous American Opportunity Credit for the 2009 – 2012 tax years. As of the date of printing, the provision for the American Opportunity Credit had not yet been extended beyond 2012.
Penalty-Free IRA Distributions
If
you withdraw money from your IRA before you are age 59½, you are generally
subject to a penalty of 10% of the distribution, in addition to any tax that
may be due on the distribution.• The 10% penalty does not apply to traditional IRA or Roth IRA withdrawals, if you use the money to pay qualified education expenses for yourself, spouse, or for any child or grandchild of yourself or your spouse.
• Qualified education expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, and special needs services required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution. Room and board for students enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program may also qualify.
• Reduce qualified expenses by scholarships and other tax-free assistance the student receives, but not by gifts or inheritances.
Comparison of Education Credits (American Opportunity Credit)
American Opportunity Credit
1. Up to $2,500 per eligible student.2. 100% of the first $2,000, plus 25% of the next $2,000 of qualifying expenses for each student.
3. 40% of the credit (up to $1,000) may be refundable.
4. Eligible years: • Until the first four years of postsecondary education are completed. Reduced by number of years Hope Credit was claimed for the student.
5. Qualifying expenses: Tuition, required enrollment fees, and course-related books, supplies, and equipment.
6. The student must be pursuing an undergraduate degree or other recognized education credential.
7. Student must be enrolled at least half-time for at least on an academic period beginning during the year.
8. Additional restrictions: The student can have no felony convictions. Taxpayer cannot use MFS status and cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. Additional conditions apply for nonresident aliens and for taxpayers under age 24.
1. Up to $2,000 per tax return.
2. 20% of the first $10,000 of total qualifying expenses.
3. Nonrefundable tax credit.
4. Eligible years: All years of postsecondary education.
5. The student need not be pursuing a degree or credential.
6. Student must be enrolled in at least one course.
7. Additional restrictions: None.
Education Savings Plans
Contributions
that you make to education savings plans are not deductible, but the earnings
accumulate tax free. In addition, no tax will be owed on distributions if they are
less than the beneficiary’s qualified education expenses.
Qualified expenses are reduced by scholarships, other tax-free assistance, and
amounts used to figure education credits.• Qualified Tuition Programs (QTPs). States sponsor QTPs to allow prepayment of a student’s qualified higher education expenses. For information on a specific QTP, you need to contact the state agency or eligible educational institution that established and maintains it. Note: QTPs are also called 529 Plans because they are authorized under section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). A Coverdell ESA can be used to pay a student’s eligible K-12 expenses, as well as higher education expenses. Coverdell ESA contributions are limited to $2,000 total per year for each beneficiary, no matter how many accounts have been established or how many people are contributing. Unless the beneficiary is a person with special needs, contributions to a Coverdell ESA must stop before the beneficiary reaches age 18 and the account balance distributed within 30 days after the beneficiary reaches age 30 (or dies, if earlier).
Exclusions From Gross Income.
An
exclusion from income means you don’t report the benefit you receive as income
and you don’t pay tax on it, but you also can’t use that same tax-free benefit
for a deduction or credit.• You may exclude the part of scholarships, fellowships, and grants that you use for qualifying education expenses while you are a degree candidate.
• You may exclude up to $5,250 paid for you under a qualifying educational assistance plan. Additional amounts are included in your W-2 income, unless they are a working condition fringe benefit. A working condition fringe benefit is an amount that you could have deducted as an employee business expense, had you paid for it instead of your employer.
• If you cash in qualified U.S. Savings Bonds to pay for eligible education expenses for yourself, spouse, or your dependent, you may exclude the bond interest from income
This
article contains general information for taxpayers and should not be relied
upon as the only source of authority. Taxpayers should seek professional tax
advice for more information or contact Advance Tax Relief LLC
Noah Daniels, EA is the President of
Advance Tax Relief LLC based in Houston, TX. Noah is very experienced in
representing taxpayers before the examinations, collections and appeals
divisions of the IRS and various state taxing authorities. Noah has helped hundreds
of taxpayers nationwide resolve their tax problems with the IRS saving
taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in back-taxes, penalties and interest
and the number keeps rising. He also speaks at various local organizations educating
the public on how to handle their IRS tax problems, small business credits and
tax compliance issues. For speaking
engagements or for tax related questions email noah.daniels@advancetaxrelief.com.
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