<p>He will have $600 (5400-6000) plus $4000 that you will have to put on his return for you to get the $2500 tax credit for a total of $4600 of income. Of course, that can be reduced if he or you pay for books and supplies. So, $4600 minus books and supplies. Any income such as summer earnings and WS will need to be added.</p>
<p>Thank you GTalum! It makes sense now. </p>
<p>My head was spinning trying to understand all these 1098-T and tax credits.</p>
<p>Also, make sure the numbers on the 1098-T are correct. The Turbo Tax guide says that the form should be used as just a guideline. Mine counted 2 semesters (fall of 2010 and spring 2011) with numbers slightly off. I put down I did not get a 1098-T and put in the numbers from my bill for only 2010.</p>
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You have a gift of explaining a complicated tax code. FYI: should be $6,000- $5400.</p>
<p>The 1098-T numbers appear to be correct. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience.</p>
<p>I was paid more in scholarships/grants from my college than I paid for my tuition. The excess money was deposited to my bank account and needs to be accounted for as income. However, I also have other school expenses like books and class fees. Does the excess scholarship/grant money need to be added to my gross income? Or, will my other qualified school expenses cancel out the extra scholarship/grant income?
I know it’s better if the excess revenue is put into my gross income, because then it will be taxed at my marginal rate, rather than offsetting a tax credit. What do you think?</p>
<p>Am I eligible for American Opportunity Credit when my tuition was paid by Board Fee Waiver and Financial aid</p>
<p>Does anyone know if we’d have to buy the books and the computer at the college bookstore for them to qualify for the tax credit or can they be second-hand?</p>
<p>Artmar, it depends. If your financial aid can be applied to room and board instead of tuition, you may get the AOC. For example, your school has a total cost of attending of 50K/year (tuition of 30K and room and board of 20K). If school gives you a 30K for the cost of attending, and does not specify if that money needs to be spent on tuition, and you spent your own money on room and board, you can state some of the grant was spent on room and board and you paid for some of the tuition. That portion you spent on tuition can be applied toward the AOC but will need to be declared on the student’s taxes. </p>
<p>Santafedad - No, you do not need to buy the books at the bookstore. Just keep the receipts. I don’t believe a computer can be counted as a qualified expense.</p>