Q. Since I'm claiming her should that have gone on my tax filing? Will it change my bottom line?
A. Yes, big time! It will add as much as $2500 to your refund.
As others have said, you claim the tuition credit on your tax return, because she is your dependent.
If you haven't filed yet, you do not need to wait for her to amend for you to claim that. You can file now and she can amend later. You can probably still e-file.
If your e-file gets rejected (I don't think you will), then file on paper. You still won't be able to e-file after she amends.
Review her tax return carefully. She may not need to amend. TurboTax most likely did not allow her to claim a tuition credit. Someone who checks the can be claimed as a dependent box does not qualify for the refundable portion of the credit. She does not have enough income to have a tax liability to use the nonrefundable portion.
There is a possibility, that some of her scholarship was taxable (typically if box 5 on the 1098-T exceeds box 1). She will have to amend to increase the taxable portion, of the scholarship, if you claim the tuition credit. If this is the case, reply back for details.
