Useful Links: IRS.gov Help For Hurricane Victims News Essentials What's Hot News Releases IRS - The Basics IRS Guidance Media Contacts Facts & Figures Around The Nation e-News Subscriptions The Newsroom Topics Multimedia Center Noticias en Español Radio PSAs Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts The Tax Gap Fact Sheets IRS Tax Tips Armed Forces Latest News IRS Resources Compliance & Enforcement News Contact Your Local IRS Office Filing Your Taxes Forms & Pubs Frequently Asked Questions Taxpayer Advocate Service Where to File IRS Social Media | Issue Number: IRS Summertime Tax Tip 2017-25 Inside This Issue Learn about Tax Benefits for Education The beginning of the school year is a good time for a reminder of the tax benefits for education. These benefits can help offset qualifying education costs. Here is information about two tax credits available to those who pay higher education costs for themselves, a spouse or a dependent. The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) is: - Worth a maximum benefit up to $2,500 per eligible student.
- Only available for the first four years at an eligible educational or vocational school.
- For students pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential.
- Partially refundable. Eligible taxpayers can get up to $1,000 of the credit as a refund, even if they do not owe any tax.
The Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) is: - Worth up to $2,000 per tax return, per year, no matter how many students qualify.
- Available for all years of postsecondary education and for courses to acquire or improve job skills.
- Available for an unlimited number of tax years
Taxpayers should use Form 8863, Education Credits, to claim these education credits. Additionally: - A student is required to have Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, to be eligible for an education benefit. They receive this form from the school attended.
- Taxpayers may use only qualified expenses paid to figure a tax credit. These include tuition and fees and other related expenses for an eligible student.
- Eligible educational schools are those that offer education beyond high school. This includes most colleges and universities.
- Taxpayers may only claim qualified expenses in the year paid.
- Taxpayers can't claim either credit if someone else claims them as a dependent.
- Income limits could reduce the amount of credits.
- Taxpayers can't claim either the AOTC or LLC for the same student or for the same expense in the same year.
- The Interactive Tax Assistant tool on IRS.gov can help determine eligibility for certain educational credits including the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.
See IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, for details, rules, examples and a complete explanation of benefits. Avoid scams. The IRS does not initiate contact using social media or text message. The first contact normally comes in the mail. Those wondering if they owe money to the IRS can view their tax account information on IRS.gov to find out. Additional IRS Resources: Share this tip on social media -- #IRSTaxTip: Learn about Tax Benefits for Education. https://go.usa.gov/xRAHe Back to Top Thank you for subscribing to IRS Tax Tips, an IRS e-mail service. For more information on federal taxes please visit IRS.gov. This message was distributed automatically from the IRS Tax Tips mailing list. Please Do Not Reply To This Message. |
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