Our daughter is college full time and last year (her 3rd year) TurboTax used form 8863 for the 1st time. This year it did not. She is still a dependent so can I use that?

[skanester]

How do I change my return to include this? Can I go back and claim it for her 1st two years as well?

[SeanE1 · Accepted solution]

If you can claim your daughter as your dependent on your income tax return, (See below) you can claim the education credits. If you received a 1098-T for your daughter or have paid out-of-pocket qualified education expenses this year and for 2014, you would want to go back and amend your 2014 tax return to include these costs.  It is most likely too late to amend your 2013 tax return, but you can certainly amend the 2014 tax return and also include the 1098-T for this year.  I have included a Link below that will help you get started amending your 2014. The American Education Opportunity Credit is for four years, so make sure you include your daughter's 1098-T for 2016. To enter the 1098-T or out-of-pocket education expenses follow these steps: 

How to Enter a 1098-T

• Open up your tax return
• Select Federal Taxes at the top of your screen
• Select Deductions & Credits at the top of the next page
• Scroll down the page until you get to the Education section
• Click Start/Revisit to the right of Education
• Click Start on the right of Expenses and Scholarships (Form 1098-T)
• Go through this section’s interview questions and you will be able to enter the information from the 1098-T or out-of-pocket qualified education expenses.

To amend your 2014 income tax return:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed

A parent may claim their child if they meet either the qualifying child or qualifying relative test as outlined below:

Qualifying Child

These 5 tests (all of them), will qualify a child as a dependent:

• Relationship: They must be your child, adopted child, foster-child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (grand or nephew).
• Residence: They had to live with you in the same residence for more than half the year. Being away at school is considered as living at home. 
• Age: Must be under age 19 or under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months of the year. They can be any age if they are totally and permanently disabled.
• Support: child did not provide more than half of their own support during the year.
• Joint Support: The child cannot file a joint return for the year.

[skanester]

TurboTaxSeanE thank you! You just saved me a bundle my friend!