Removing dependent to claim Tuition & fees deduction

[swdunbar]

Married Filing Jointly and AGI exceeded the 160k limit to receive a deduction for college tuition and fees.  Should I remove my daugter as a dependent so she can claim the $15k on her 1098-T?  She made $20k last year.

[PaulaM]

 If your daughter provided more than 50% of her support then she could file with her own exemption and the 1098-T would be entered under her tax return.

[LindaA]

Your daughter may qualify to claim an education credit on her tax return if you do not claim her as a dependent. However, if she claims the American Opportunity Credit (AOC) she probably won't be able to claim any part of it as a refundable credit (please see the "AOC_Refundable_Disqualifiers" attachment for details). She is not eligible for the Tuition and Fees Deduction if she could qualify as a dependent on your tax return even if you do not claim her.

For more information, please see Who Can Claim a Credit/ Take the Deduction in the following IRS documents:

Instructions for Form 8863: Education Credits

Form 8917: Tuition and Fees Deduction