The scenario is very (more often than not) possible, depending on the numbers. There are three things you can do with your Qualified educational expenses (QEE):
- Allocate then to scholarships (so that the scholarship remains tax free)
- Use them to claim an education credit (AOC)
- Allocate them to the 529 distribution (1099-Q) so that it will not all be taxable
Some expenses qualify for the 1099-Q, but not the AOC. TurboTax allocates QEE, in that order, until you tell it otherwise. TurboTax allocates QEE, in that order, but it doesn't do a very good job. It's best if you have some idea of the outcome expected (and desired), when you make your entries. You may have to adjust those entries.
Provide the following info for more specific help:
- Are you the student or parent.
- Is the student the parent's dependent.
- Box 1 of the 1098-T
- box 5 of the 1098-T
- Any other scholarships not shown in box 5
- Does box 5 include any of the 529/ESA plan payments (it should not)
- Is any of the Scholarship restricted; i.e. it must be used for tuition
- Box 1 of the 1099-Q
- Box 2 of the 1099-Q
- Who’s name and SS# are on the 1099-Q, parent or student (who’s the “recipient”)?
- Room & board paid. If student lives off campus, what is school's R&B on campus charge. If he lives at home, the school’s R&B “allowance for cost of attendance” for student living with parents.
- Other qualified expenses not included in box 1 of the 1098-T, e.g. books & computers
- How much taxable income does the student have, from what sources
- Are you trying to claim the tuition credit (are you eligible)?
- Is the student an undergrad or grad student?
- Is the student a degree candidate attending school half time or more?
