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Adult children in school

Good day, I have a couple of children that are now working and in school.  We file as married filing jointly, but have not filed the children’s taxes. Do they file on their own? Also they are to attend school, but don’t qualify for much from FSFA. If I pay out of pocket, is there deductions we can get for this expense? Also self employed. 

thank you!

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AmyC
Employee Tax Expert

Adult children in school

Yes, if you claim the students as dependents, you can claim an education credit- up to  $2,500 refund - if you qualify.  IRS Q & A about education credits: To claim the full credit, your MAGI, modified adjusted gross income (See Q&A 13 for MAGI definition) must be $80,000 or less ($160,000 or less for married taxpayers filing jointly). If your MAGI is over $80,000 but less than $90,000 (over $160,000 but less than $180,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly), the amount of your credit is reduced. If your MAGI is over $90,000 ($180,000 for married taxpayers filing joint), you can't claim the credit.

 

Since you have a 23 year old, you can amend the 3 prior years to claim the credit - if you qualify in any of those years.

See What education tax credits are available? 

In the future, you can verify if the kids qualify as dependents with a quick quiz, Dependent.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

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5 Replies

Adult children in school

By "adult" children----what do you mean?   How old are they?

 

We cannot tell from your information whether they can be claimed as qualifying children dependents or qualifying relative dependents by you.   

 

We need more details, but no personal information.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

Adult children in school

One child is 19 and other 23 

LeticiaF1
Employee Tax Expert

Adult children in school

Given the ages of your children, if  they are under age 24, full-time students, live with you, and don't pay more than half of their own support, you can claim them as dependents.  

 

If they had income, they can file their own returns, but they must state in their return that someone else is claiming them as dependents.  

 

See the TurboTax help articles below for more information:

 

Rules for Claiming Dependents on Taxes

How do I indicate that I can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return?

@Alex Osorio 

Adult children in school

Thank you for your response. 

Also on the part of paying full for their school, example $13k. Any way to get some deduction for their school expenses if we pay?

AmyC
Employee Tax Expert

Adult children in school

Yes, if you claim the students as dependents, you can claim an education credit- up to  $2,500 refund - if you qualify.  IRS Q & A about education credits: To claim the full credit, your MAGI, modified adjusted gross income (See Q&A 13 for MAGI definition) must be $80,000 or less ($160,000 or less for married taxpayers filing jointly). If your MAGI is over $80,000 but less than $90,000 (over $160,000 but less than $180,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly), the amount of your credit is reduced. If your MAGI is over $90,000 ($180,000 for married taxpayers filing joint), you can't claim the credit.

 

Since you have a 23 year old, you can amend the 3 prior years to claim the credit - if you qualify in any of those years.

See What education tax credits are available? 

In the future, you can verify if the kids qualify as dependents with a quick quiz, Dependent.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
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