Retro Tuition Reimbursement

[insurancelady86]

Hello. My employer is going to reimburse me for classes taken in 2022, 2023, and this year, 2024. I previously filed for tuition credits on my taxes. I assume that is ok and that anything my employer gives me will appear to be tuition reimbursement for 2024... then any amount over the $5250 will be taxed as income. Does this sound correct? I want to make sure there aren't any implications for filing the way I did in the past as I didn't know my employer would go back and reimburse me for my schooling. I appreciate any help. Thanks!

[Hal_Al]

Q.  I previously filed for tuition credits on my taxes. I assume that is ok?

A. Yes.

Q. Anything my employer gives me will appear to be tuition reimbursement for 2024?

A. Yes.

Q. Any amount over the $5250 will be taxed as income. Does this sound correct?

A. Yes. The amount over $5250 will be already included in box 1 of your W-2. You do not need to make a separate entry, for the taxable portion, in TurboTax (TT).

Q. I want to make sure there aren't any implications for filing the way I did in the past?

A. There will be no tax implications for you, unless the $5250 tax free part, of the reimbursement,  is more than the 2024 tuition.  Then there are a couple of ways to handle the "credit recapture"  for the previous year(s). See page 27 of IRS Pub 970 and/or page 33 of the form 1040 instructions.