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New Member
posted Feb 13, 2025 7:26:48 PM

Do I select that "I was a full time student", I was full time from Jan-April.

I was taking full time college classes from Jan-Apr. and graduated in May

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Feb 14, 2025 4:22:50 AM

Yes, Graduating in May counts as being  full time from Jan-May. You were still an enrolled student.  So you meet the 5 month rule. 

 

Full time student has two meanings* in taxes.  First, the five month rule must be met (if you are over 18) for you to be a "Qualifying Child" dependent on your parent's (or other close relative's) tax return. Hence the question in the personal info section.  To claim a tuition credit, you only need to be half time or more, and for no specific time length (basically "full time" is meaningless in the educational expenses section). 

 

*There are third and fourth and fifth meanings having to do with the "kiddie tax", eligibility for the refundable portion of the AOTC and eligibility for the Retirement Savers Credit. 

2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 13, 2025 7:37:10 PM

Yes, If you were full-time any time in 2024, you're full-time the entire year.

 

Additionally the requirements for "being a student changes" depending what you are asking in reference to-

it's at least part of at last 5 months for the requirement to be considered a dependent

it's enrolled at least one academic period and carry at least 1/2 the workload for an education credit

 

 

Level 15
Feb 14, 2025 4:22:50 AM

Yes, Graduating in May counts as being  full time from Jan-May. You were still an enrolled student.  So you meet the 5 month rule. 

 

Full time student has two meanings* in taxes.  First, the five month rule must be met (if you are over 18) for you to be a "Qualifying Child" dependent on your parent's (or other close relative's) tax return. Hence the question in the personal info section.  To claim a tuition credit, you only need to be half time or more, and for no specific time length (basically "full time" is meaningless in the educational expenses section). 

 

*There are third and fourth and fifth meanings having to do with the "kiddie tax", eligibility for the refundable portion of the AOTC and eligibility for the Retirement Savers Credit.