is there a place to enter room and board expenses for college so I can offset 529 distribution? I am using Deluxe 2025. Was easy to find in 2022-24. Can you help?

[moby8101]

I have used TT for years. this has never been an issue until, DO I need to upgrade?

[user17698181478]

Wish I could help but in the same situation using the online Turbo Tax version.  Entered it last year.   Check the box that I have non-tuition related expenses but never offers a place to actually enter those expenses.  Think the software is broken at the moment and cannot even find a way to make a trouble report.  

[Hal_Al]

There's a glitch. TT is working on it. You'll have to wait for the update (expected date not currently known). 

[Hal_Al]

The 1099-Q is  only an informational document. The numbers on it are not required to be entered onto your (or your student's) tax return. The interview is complicated and it's easy to make mistakes. Avoid it if you can and you can. 

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. 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 (you don’t need it). You would still have to do the math to see if there were enough expenses left over for you to claim the tuition credit. You also cannot count expenses that were paid by tax free scholarships.

References:

1. On form 1099-Q, instructions to the recipient reads: "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." 
2. 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”.
3. "IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education states: If the entire 1099-Q went to qualified expenses, room and board, tuition, etc; then, you do not need to enter the form." 

[moby8101]

Tried everything to find it , but doesn’t exist. Spoke to help desk and put in a ticket. Hopefully will be an updated

[cwilmo]

Thanks for submitting this, I'm in the same boat and looking for resolution - anyone consider using another Tax prep software given this new bug?

[rsgaston]

Having the same problem - hopefully fixed soon. No problem last year.

[amsp]

I figured out how to enter room and board expenses. These are the steps I took:

1) View -> Go to Forms

2) Select "People wks (xx)" form

3) Enter room and board under "Part IV - Education Expenses" 

4) Select "Student Info Wk" form

5) Verify that room and board are listed under "Part VI - Education Expenses" and your 529 distributions are offset by your expenses in "Part VIII - Qualified Tuition Program (Section 529 Plan)

[AnnetteB6]

The experience described here is expected to be resolved in a TurboTax update to be released by February 27th.  

[user17719830893]

I just read through IRS Pub 970.  Found reference #2 on page 44.  Where's the reference to #3.  Doesn't seem to be in the publication, at least not the way it is written.  Thanks.