https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/do-i-get-a-tax-break-for-paying-college-tuition-for-my-son/01/3421853#M57578 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:27:22 GMT kirk-parrish-usmc 2026-02-03T06:27:22Z https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/do-i-get-a-tax-break-for-paying-college-tuition-for-my-son/01/3421853#M57578 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:27:22 GMT https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/do-i-get-a-tax-break-for-paying-college-tuition-for-my-son/01/3421853#M57578 kirk-parrish-usmc 2026-02-03T06:27:22Z https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-do-i-get-a-tax-break-for-paying-college-tuition-for-my-son/01/3421857#M57579 <P>If you are claiming your son as a dependent on your tax return then any education expenses are entered on your tax return.</P> Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:15:11 GMT https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-do-i-get-a-tax-break-for-paying-college-tuition-for-my-son/01/3421857#M57579 DoninGA 2025-01-16T14:15:11Z https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-do-i-get-a-tax-break-for-paying-college-tuition-for-my-son/01/3422246#M57584 <P>Q.&nbsp; Do I get a tax break for paying college tuition for my son?</P> <P>A. Only if you are claiming him as a dependent.&nbsp;</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>But, whomever does claim him, whether it be the other parent or the student himself, they may count the tuition and expenses, you paid, in claiming the credit for themselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;Although the general rule, in taxes, is that you must be the one making the payment, to get the deduction or credit, there is an exception for education.</P> <P>_______________________________________________________________________________________________</P> <P>Q. Should the student be claiming the education credit, on his own return?</P> <P>A. Probably not.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>While technically there is a provision that allows your student-dependent to claim a federal tuition credit, from a practical matter it seldom works out.&nbsp;&nbsp;A full time student, under age 24, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit (AOTC) if he/she supports himself by working. She cannot be supporting herself on student loans &amp; grants and 529 plans and parental support.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR /><BR />If the student actually has a tax liability, there is a provision to allow him to claim a non-refundable tuition credit. But then the parent must forgo claiming the student as a dependent, and the $500 other dependent credit.&nbsp; The student must still indicate that he can be claimed as a dependent, on his return. This is worth up to $2500 (AOTC shifts to all non refundable)</P> Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:20:40 GMT https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-do-i-get-a-tax-break-for-paying-college-tuition-for-my-son/01/3422246#M57584 Hal_Al 2025-01-16T20:20:40Z