Whether you are a college student with a part-time job or adult who is working a 9 to 5 and going to school, tuition costs and other education-related expenses can become overwhelming. The good thing is that, as a tax-paying citizen, you are able to see some of these costs reimbursed to you in forms of credits or deductions. Yes, figuring out which tax credit or deduction you are allowed can be tricky. Thankfully, the IRS or your tax accountant is there to help clear up the confusion. On IRS.gov, the government has outlined what is what when it comes to tuition and education fees. But, do not think that you can claim every expense. In fact, there are several stipulations concerning individual or married taxpayers. Take a look at the option taxpayers have below: Tuition and Fees Deduction You may be able to deduct qualified education expenses paid during the year for yourself, your spouse or your dependent. You cannot claim this deduction if your filing status is married filing separately or if another person can claim an exemption for you as a dependent on his or her tax return. The qualified expenses must be for higher education. The tuition and fees deduction can reduce the amount of your income subject to tax by up to $4,000. This deduction, reported on Form 8917, Tuition and Fees Deduction, is taken as an adjustment to income. This means you can claim this deduction even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040). This deduction may be beneficial to you if, for example, you cannot take the lifetime learning credit because your income is too high. You may be able to take one of the education credits for your education expenses instead of a tuition and fees deduction. You can choose the one that will give you the lower tax. Generally, you can claim the tuition and fees deduction if all three of the following requirements are met: You pay qualified education expenses of higher education. You pay the education expenses for an eligible student. The eligible student is yourself, your spouse, or your dependent for whom you claim an exemption on your tax return. You cannot claim the tuition and fees deduction if any of the following apply: Your filing status is married filing separately. Another person can claim an exemption for you as a dependent on his or her tax return. You cannot take the deduction even if the other person does not actually claim that exemption. Your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is more than $80,000 ($160,000 if filing a joint return). You were a nonresident alien for any part of the year and did not elect to be treated as a resident alien for tax purposes. More information on nonresident aliens can be found in Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens. You or anyone else claims an education credit for expenses of the student for whom the qualified education expenses were paid. Student-activity fees and expenses for course-related books, supplies and equipment are included in qualified education expenses only if the fees and expenses must be paid to the institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance. Student Loan Interest Deduction Generally, personal interest you pay, other than certain mortgage interest, is not deductible on your tax return. However, if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $75,000 ($150,000 if filing a joint return), there is a special deduction allowed for paying interest on a student loan (also known as an education loan) used for higher education. Student loan interest is interest you paid during the year on a qualified student loan. It includes both required and voluntary interest payments. For most taxpayers, MAGI is the adjusted gross income as figured on their federal income tax return before subtracting any deduction for student loan interest. This deduction can reduce the amount of your income subject to tax by up to $2,500. The student loan interest deduction is taken as an adjustment to income. This means you can claim this deduction even if you do not itemize deductions on Form 1040’s Schedule A. Qualified Student Loan This is a loan you took out solely to pay qualified education expenses (defined later) that were: For you, your spouse, or a person who was your dependent when you took out the loan. Paid or incurred within a reasonable period of time before or after you took out the loan. For education provided during an academic period for an eligible student. Loans from the following sources are not qualified student loans: A related person. A qualified employer plan. Qualified Education Expenses For purposes of the student loan interest deduction, these expenses are the total costs of attending an eligible educational institution, including graduate school. They include amounts paid for the following items: Tuition and fees. Room and board. Books, supplies and equipment. Other necessary expenses (such as transportation). The cost of room and board qualifies only to the extent that it is not more than the greater of: The allowance for room and board, as determined by the eligible educational institution, that was included in the cost of attendance (for federal financial aid purposes) for a particular academic period and living arrangement of the student, or The actual amount charged if the student is residing in housing owned or operated by the eligible educational institution. If you are wondering what other education-related expenses can be claimed on your 2015 tax return, please visit www.irs.gov for more information.
