<p>From the 2012 Form 8615 instructions:</p>
<p>Investment Income
For Form 8615, “investment income” includes all taxable
income other than earned income as defined later.
Investment income includes taxable interest, ordinary
dividends, capital gains (including capital gain
distributions), rents, royalties, etc. It also includes taxable
social security benefits, pension and annuity income, and
income (other than earned income) received as the
beneficiary of a trust.</p>
<p>There’s nothing listed there that is at all similar to taxable scholarships/grants, especially since taxable scholarships/grants are considered earned income for the purpose of the standard deduction.</p>
<p>I’m not reopening any previous returns.</p>
<p>Re the 1098T, schools aren’t required to provide one if scholarships/grants exceed billed or paid QEE. The 1098T is advisory to make people aware that they may be able to take the AOTC. I don’t think the IRS uses it to identify possible tax avoidance. I assume those that don’t report it, generally get away with it. Though I bet for scholarship athletes, the athletic departments make them aware if applicable.</p>
<p>So for purposes of Form 8615 scholarship income is considered unearned income but for determining who has to file a tax return scholarship income is considered earned income?</p>
<p>Yes… Also for the purpose of the standard deduction, which is earned income + $350 with a max of $6100. This is all for 2013 and could change for 2014, I suppose.</p>
<p>Can the parent include this income on her return? I have a unique tax situation next year in that I may have enough credits to not have to pay any tax. My daughter’s excess scholarship will be about $2000, plus I’d like her to ‘move’ some of the QEE covered amount to taxable, keeping the total amount at about the $6100 limit for not having to pay income tax by her. If she has to pay the kiddie tax, but I wouldn’t have to pay additional tax, can I just put it on my return? (yes, I realize I may pay the accountant more than just paying the tax to figure this out).</p>
<p>See Fig. 1 in IRS Pub 929: one of the rules is that the child has only interest and dividend income and that the total of these is less than $10,000. While apparently scholarship income is now considered unearned income when it is not on a W-2, it is not interest or dividend income so in my opinion it cannot be reported on a parent’s federal return.</p>
<p>Consult your tax advisor.</p>