Sask Grad Retention Help To Input Information

[saskmanpa]

I'm new to filing taxes so I dont really know the ins and outs so bear with me. I have just finished doing my Journeyman's Program for Autobody and did it while working. I had to retake two levels twice so it took me 5 years doing them.

My certificate says I can claim  $3000 max. I have not claimed any tuition over the entire time. I have no idea how to enter any of it on the form, or where to enter previous years tuition or even if I can.

[Carl]

-Qualified education expenses are claimed in the tax year they are paid. It does not matter what year is paid *FOR*.

 - Scholarships, grants, 529 distributions are claimed as taxable income (initially) in the tax year they are received. It does not matter what year that third party income is "for". The taxability of scholarships, grants and 529 funds are offset by the 'qualified" expenses they are used to pay for.

if you did not report/claim education expenses in prior years, then you can amend those prior year tax returns to claim them.

 - You can only use TurboTax for the current tax year and three years back. So if you have any education stuff to claim "prior" to 2016, don't bother. If amending a 2015 tax return or earlier shows that you would get additional refund, the IRS *WILL* *NOT* pay it. There is a three year statute of limitations on this. So amending a 2015 tax return or earlier is a waste of your time.

If you decide to amend a prior year's tax return, you need to start with the oldest first, which would be amending your 2016 tax return.

Note that this is going to be a "LOT" of work on your part, as when you amend the 2017 return you can "NOT" import your education stuff from the amended 2016 return. You will have to manually do the math your self and enter the correct numbers.

Same holds true when you amend the 2018 tax return. You will "NOT" be able to import from your amended 2017 tax return.

[saskmanpa]

Thank you very much for your reply. It’s very in depth and quite honestly way above my understanding of taxes. I don’t even know what boxes on the forms to put information in or where to find any of the information that I need. I guess I need a real for dummies explanation on how to accomplish this

[KathrynG3]

Yes, we can help with the steps to enter your education expenses.

To break it down:

2019: Here are some articles that can help:

1. Check the link to confirm that your program qualifies for the education credit
   1. If it is listed, then you can expect the credit to be allowed based on your circumstances. Don't worry, TurboTax will ask you questions and direct you to your best option.
      1. Rules to claim an education credit
      2. Qualifying education expenses
      3. Income Limits to claim an education credit
2. Report your Tuition and your education expenses. Here is a link to help with this: How do I enter Form 1098-T?

Prior Years: You do not need to wait to file 2019.

1. You cannot go back to five years ago, unfortunately. The IRS allows for adjustments 3 years back only
2. Begin adjustments with 2016. It will not be connected to the details in 2016, but that is ok. You can still submit your amended return per usual through the mail.
   1. Here is a link to help with amending your return for all past years, 2016. 2017 and 2018.
   2. Use the TurboTax CD/Download Software
3. After 2016 is done, then, you can Amend 2017. It will not be connected to the details in 2016, but that is ok. You can still submit your amended return per usual through the mail.
4. After 2017 is done, then you can Amend 2018. It will not be connected to the details in 2017, but that is ok. You can still submit your amended return per usual through the mail.

@saskmanpa, post as many questions as you wish here, we are happy to help. But, we do not even begin to have your expertise for being a Journeyman! Congratulations on your accomplishment!