topic Enrollment status question in Education

Enrollment status question

elatkr36 — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 05:40:19 GMT

Hello,

I am working on the 1098-T part of the federal tax return and it asks what was my enrollment status for 2020. The options provided are "Full-time," "At least-half-time" and "Less than half-time." I attended school full-time from late August 2020 until the end of 2020. However, my 1098-T does not say I was a full-time student. Instead, it has the box checked that indicates I was "at least half-time student." Should I select the option that says "At least half-time" or should I select the option that says "Full-time"? I did indicate earlier on my tax return that I am a full-time student.

Re: Enrollment status question

JohnW152 — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 15:24:53 GMT

In the 1098-T portion of the interview, check "At least half-time," as indicated on your form 1098-T.

You probably indicated "Full-time" when you entered your student status in the "My info" section of TurboTax, and this is what you should've done. This indicates to the program that you're eligible for the American Opportunity Credit, but there's no checkbox for "Full-time" on the 1098-T.

Re: Enrollment status question

elatkr36 — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 19:54:16 GMT

Thanks for explaining that. When I selected "At least half-time" in the 1098-T section, the "My Info" section changed to say I am NOT a full-time student. Do you know why it is doing this? Is it OK to change the "My Info" section to say I am a full-time student? By the way, I am in law school, so I have already completed four years of higher education and have my bachelor's degree and master's degree, so I don't think I am eligible for the American Opportunity credit.

Thanks!

Re: Enrollment status question

npierson7 — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 20:31:35 GMT

Since you have already completed four years of higher education and have your bachelor's degree and master's degree, you aren't eligible for the American Opportunity credit anyway; and being full-time student won't give you any additional benefits. You'll be eligible for Lifetime Learning tax credit or tuition deduction even if you were part time student.