Q. Can I split the amount from the 1098-T between our two returns so that we get the credit and she can claim the remaining qualified expenses?
A. Yes, you are free to allocate the available expenses for the best tax outcome for the family.
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
- Allocate them to the 529 distribution (1099-Q) so that it will not all be taxable
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?
