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Level 2
June 4, 2019
Solved

Who can claim the tuition and fees deduction with divorced parents who each claim 1 child, but 1 parent pays tuition for both children?

  • June 4, 2019
  • 1 reply
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Divorced parents: Dad claims daughter 1 as a dependent, Mom claims daughter 2 as a dependent. Dad pays college tuition for both daughters who are full time students. Since Dad paid the tuition for both, does he use the 1098-T from both on his tax return (even if he only claimed daughter 1 as a dependent). If he can only use the 1098-T from daughter 1, can mom use the 1098-T from daughter 2 (dependent) even though she didn't pay the tuition?

Best answer by Marketstar

The parent who claims the child as a dependent claims the educational expense-no matter who pays them.

In other words, the educational expenses are tied to the dependent exemption no matter who pays.

1 reply

Level 12
June 4, 2019

The parent who claims the child as a dependent claims the educational expense-no matter who pays them.

In other words, the educational expenses are tied to the dependent exemption no matter who pays.