Do I elect the option to file as a student on my taxes? Or not? Please help.

[weissrac]

I was a college student from 01/01/2021 to 05/13/2021 (graduation). I then got a job in June of 2021. It is my first salaried job that I have ever had to file taxes for.

TurboTax is asking me if I am or was a full-time student in 2021. Technically yes, but I did not file my own taxes as a student or pay my own tuition (my parents paid it through a 529). Do I still say I was a student? Or do I select the "no" option for being a student because I do not have a 1098-T nor did I pay my own tuition for this tax year?

I also have money from my current salaried job going into a retirement fund but I can't reflect that on my returns as a student... So I don't know what to put. 

[weissrac]

Also just realized I was only a part-time student in the Spring of 2021 before I graduated, since I was only taking 6 credits to finish my degree. I still only began supporting myself in June 2021, but I believe with that information I will still put "NO" for full-time....

[AmyC]

Correct, a part time student would answer no to being a full time student. You will need to determine if your parents paid over half your support for the year and if they plan to claim you and any education credit.

You do not qualify for the retirement savings credit since you were a student, unless the college is not issuing a 1098-T. The IRS will cross check.

You may want to go through Whom May I Claim as a Dependent? with your parents along with reviewing 

IRS Worksheet for Determining Support..

[weissrac]

Thank you for the help - follow up question: 

I only made my own money and supported myself through the last 5.5 to 6 months of the year but when I select that I am not a student, TurboTax is saying I qualify for 2021's stimulus check... Is that accurate? I fear I will have to amend my return or re-file if I move forward with this return of getting an entire stimulus check since I was not employed Jan-May of last year, but I wasn't unemployed... I was just a student. And the university did not provide me any 1098-Ts for 2021, only 2020.

[DawnC]

You do qualify for the stimulus check if you answer NO to the Can anyone claim me? question.     And it sounds like you do.    If you were only a part time student in Jan-May 2021 - you do not mark the full-time student box.   As a part-time student making over $4300 in 2021 - your parents cannot claim you.   

Also, you can take your Saver's Credit - you are disqualified from taking the credit if you are a FULL-TIME student during the tax year.   Part-time students are eligible.   Go back through that section and make sure you get that credit as well as the Recovery Rebate Credit.   Your 1098-T, if issued, would show your enrollment status.   Box 8, if checked, says you were at least half-time which allows you to take the AOTC, but half-time does not qualify you as a dependent of your parents or disqualify you from taking the Saver's Credit.  

Whether or not you answer the I supported myself by working with earned income question, yes or no - - - that depends on if you paid over half of your support with the money you earned from your job.   Add up all your expenses and if your earned income is over half of that total for the year, you may be able to take the refundable and nonrefundable portions of the AOTC education credit.    See that link for the worksheet.

If you were over 19 and not a full time student at all in 2021 and made over $4300 - only you can claim you.