And as states make decisions about their systems for financing higher education, they also should bear the deduction and other
higher education tax benefits in mind.
At a minimum, a simpler system
of education tax benefits would decrease the administrative and time costs of transferring funds to households with postsecondary expenses.
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators has just published its Higher
Education Tax Benefit Guide for the 2017 tax filing season.
If you, or your beneficiary, are claiming certain
other education tax benefits, such as the Hope or lifetime learning credit, you'll have to reduce total QHEE under the anti-double-dipping rules.
Meanwhile, it would scale back or reform numerous other tax breaks and deductions, including the mortgage interest deduction, the business interest expense deduction, the property tax deduction, and
higher education tax benefits.
This does not take into account any aid you will receive including scholarships, grants, and
education tax benefits.
The Student Loan Interest Deduction is
an education tax benefit that allows taxpayers to deduct up to $ 2,500 of the interest paid on student loans.
(Note: you do not have to itemize your deductions for
this education tax benefit.)
You may qualify for one
education tax benefit, but not another, so do your homework and get the biggest bang for your education buck.
So, bottom line —
education tax benefits can definitely help, but financing college is a complicated equation with a lot of variables — scholarships, grants, student loans, part - time work, 529 account savings, family gifts, retirement and IRA distributions, and more.
However, before you pop open that bottle of beer to celebrate, understanding the rules will help you claim
the education tax benefit (s) that reduce your taxes the most.
The non-custodial parent can only take advantage of
the education tax benefits when he or she claims the child as a dependent.
The school must tell you the amount of your education expenses and then you will be able to accurately claim
the education tax benefit for your continuing education.
Qualified education expenses can be used to justify only one
education tax benefit.