Oh for heaven's sake. Just replied with a long post, and "authentification failed" message popped up, and now my reply is gone. I will try to remember what I said and start over!
Good morning! John Clay asked me to check on all replies. He is out of the conversation(s) for the day as he had to go to school.
**The financial aid office has confirmed this morning that NONE of his scholarships or grants are RESTRICTED.
**Books were already paid for to school, included in the $5022.50 total paid. No NEW internet. If binders, etc cannot be considered qualified, then I suppose the necessary lab pants don't count either. That leaves only the computer to reduce owed taxes. But again, every dollar helps! However, IF a receipt for said computer is necessary, we are out of luck, because it was purchased (used), paid for with cash.
** I went back and made sure 1099-Q info was removed, since you said to enter nothing about it. But TT is still asking if he RECEIVED a 1099-Q. Do I answer YES or NO?
**I am still unsure on the 1098-T screen. I did enter the $719.50 exactly as is in box 1, as you instructed. I do not know whether to put the entire $11923.50 from box 5 here or not. I know you said when I get to a screen where I am asked if scholarship was used for room and board, to enter that scholarship total there. I have not yet seen that screen.
**I don't know if the following makes any difference in filing, but thought I better mention it to be safe:
For the 1098-T---- ACTUAL expenses paid is $5022.50. Box 1 shows $719.20. So, the exact "missing amount" is $4303.00. The fully refunded 429 distribution is $4302.00. The amount of HELP grant is $4303.00.
**Hopefully none of that matters, and we still don't have to enter the 1099-Q or anything else about the distribution ANYWHERE on his return. I certainly don't want there to be any audit for my mistake(s), so am giving this info just in case. Just wanted to make sure that $1.00 difference doesn't MEAN something related to entering 529 info. I apologize if I am giving unnecessary info !
