1099 Q problem?

[kerkar]

Our daughter is in college, and also has a job. She files her own returns. The college fund that we have set up reimburses her for tuition, rent etc. and gives her a 1099Q. Last year, she had some emergencies,  and we advanced her money, and got reimbursed. Now we have a 1099Q for that amount in addition to her 1099Q. Can we claim our 1099Q as college expense for her although she is not on our return? If not, can we  get 1099Q amended - how?

[tagteam]

I will page Champ @Hal_Al so please stand by.

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

Q.  Can we claim our 1099Q as college expense for her although she is not on our return? 

A. Yes. It is not necessary that she be your dependent.  It is only necessary that she is the beneficiary of the college fund and that she had enough Qualified Educational Expenses (QEE) for both her 1099-Q and your 1099-Q. 

So, it depends on whether "some emergency"  expenses qualify as QEE. 

[kerkar]

Thanks. Yes; it was paid out of fund with her as the beneficiery. "Emergency" meant for example that she had no money to pay rent, and we transferred it before fund reimbursed.

[Hal_Al]

Another thing to beware of: 529 money can be use for off campus living, but you are limited to the lesser of your actual costs or the school's "allowance for cost for attendance" (basically what on campus students pay for Room & Board).

The student must be half time or more. 

[MarilynG1]

If the 1099-Q funds were used for rent, this is a qualified education expense.  

Here's more info on Form 1099-Q.