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If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs?

My 529 withdrawal exceeds the tuition cost, but is less than the total cost including room and board.
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1 Best answer

Accepted Solutions
Hal_Al
Level 15
Intuit Approved! This answer has been verified for accuracy by an Intuit expert employee

If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs?

I agree with @MinhT1 , just don't enter it. You risk making mistakes. When the box 1 amount on form 1099-Q is fully covered by expenses, TurboTax will enter nothing about the 1099-Q on the actual tax forms. But, it will prepare a 1099-Q worksheet for your records.

Here's another reference:

IRS Pub 970 states: “Generally, distributions are tax free if they aren't more than the beneficiary's AQEE for the year. Don't report tax-free distributions (including qualifying rollovers) on your tax return”.

 

If you still want that work sheet: after entering the 1099-Q, you enter your expenses later, in the program at the educational expenses (1098-T) section.  To get the screen to enter Room & Board, answer yes when asked if you have book expenses.

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2 Replies
MinhT1
Employee Tax Expert

If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs?

In your case, you can just not report the 1099-Q, at all, if your student-beneficiary has sufficient educational expenses, including room & board (even if he lives at home) to cover the distribution. You would still have to do the math to see if there were enough expenses left over for you to claim the tuition credit. Again, you cannot double dip!  Just keep all supporting documents in your tax records in case of inquiry by the IRS.

 

On form 1099-Q, instructions to the recipient read: "Nontaxable distributions from CESAs and QTPs are not required to be reported on your income tax return. You must determine the taxability of any distribution." 

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Hal_Al
Level 15
Intuit Approved! This answer has been verified for accuracy by an Intuit expert employee

If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs?

I agree with @MinhT1 , just don't enter it. You risk making mistakes. When the box 1 amount on form 1099-Q is fully covered by expenses, TurboTax will enter nothing about the 1099-Q on the actual tax forms. But, it will prepare a 1099-Q worksheet for your records.

Here's another reference:

IRS Pub 970 states: “Generally, distributions are tax free if they aren't more than the beneficiary's AQEE for the year. Don't report tax-free distributions (including qualifying rollovers) on your tax return”.

 

If you still want that work sheet: after entering the 1099-Q, you enter your expenses later, in the program at the educational expenses (1098-T) section.  To get the screen to enter Room & Board, answer yes when asked if you have book expenses.

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