topic If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs? in Education

If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs?

steveandsam8 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:31:14 GMT

My 529 withdrawal exceeds the tuition cost, but is less than the total cost including room and board.

Re: If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs?

MinhT1 — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:24:09 GMT

In your case, you can just not report the 1099-Q, at all, if your student-beneficiary has sufficient educational expenses, including room & board (even if he lives at home) to cover the distribution. You would still have to do the math to see if there were enough expenses left over for you to claim the tuition credit. Again, you cannot double dip! Just keep all supporting documents in your tax records in case of inquiry by the IRS.

On form 1099-Q, instructions to the recipient read: "Nontaxable distributions from CESAs and QTPs are not required to be reported on your income tax return. You must determine the taxability of any distribution."

Re: If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs?

Hal_Al — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 21:41:06 GMT

I agree with @MinhT1 , just don't enter it. You risk making mistakes. When the box 1 amount on form 1099-Q is fully covered by expenses, TurboTax will enter nothing about the 1099-Q on the actual tax forms. But, it will prepare a 1099-Q worksheet for your records.

Here's another reference:

IRS Pub 970 states: “Generally, distributions are tax free if they aren't more than the beneficiary's AQEE for the year. Don't report tax-free distributions (including qualifying rollovers) on your tax return”.

If you still want that work sheet: after entering the 1099-Q, you enter your expenses later, in the program at the educational expenses (1098-T) section. To get the screen to enter Room & Board, answer yes when asked if you have book expenses.

Re: If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs?

corbi — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:55:03 GMT

I have been working in TT online version and consulting with a TT CPA for/in tax assist. There is no place to report/enter college room and board and other qualified 529 withdrawals even if you answer yes to other expenses besides books. The program has changed from last year. The T T expert agreed that there is no apparent way to enter these expenses and avoid having TT assuming I withdrew more from my 529 plan than I have for qualifying expenses. Many customers are reporting this who would prefer to enter and report these expenses. Please work to correct and advise us. Thanks.

Re: If I paid for college using a 529 plan, where in turbo tax do I enter room and board costs?

Hal_Al — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 23:30:32 GMT

You can't enter those room and board expenses yet. This is a known glitch in TurboTax (TT). They are working on it (no announced fix date). The 2025 education and 529 sections appear totally redesigned, from last year.