Telling me to use standard deduction. I have a dependent in college is telling me $4000 deduction is better than the $2500 credit. How can that be when not itemizing?
Question is, how does $4000 deduction possible when I'm not itemizing?
There are different kinds of deductions. The tuition and fees deduction is not an itemized deduction. It's what's called an "above-the-line deduction." You can claim the tuition and fees deduction even if you are not using itemized deductions.
Why is a $4000 deduction is better than the $2500 credit?
Not everybody gets the full $2500, if their tax has been reduce to 0. But, with $4000 in expenses, you should get the $1000 refundable AOTC credit if the student is your dependent. So there must be another reason. you're not getting the AOTC.
