Why am I getting an error on my education credit?

Article ID: 59752  

Question
Why am I getting an error on my education credit?

Answer

One of the reasons you can get an error on your education credit is that your adjusted gross income exceeds the amount allowed in order to claim Education Credits. If you adjusted gross income is greater than the amounts listed below you will not be allowed to claim an education credit this tax season.

 

CriteriaAOTCLLCTuition and Fees Deduction**view IRS.gov to verify extension to 2021 (if not extended this deduction is not available)**

 

Maximum credit or benefit

 

Up to $2,500 credit per eligible student

 

Up to $2,000 credit per return

 This deduction is based on adjusted qualified education expenses paid to an eligible educational institution (postsecondary)

 

 

Refundable or nonrefundable

 

40% of credit 

 

Not refundable-credit limited to the amount of tax you must pay on your taxable income

Non-refundable- is a deduction from income

 

 

Limit on MAGI* for married filing jointly

 $180,000 $180,000   $160,000

 

Limit on MAGI* for single, head of household, or qualifying widow(er)

$90,000 $90,000  $80,000

 

Can you file married filing separately?

 No 

 

Dependent status

 Cannot claim credit if you are claimed as a dependent on someone else's return

 

Must you or your spouse be a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien?

 

Yes, unless nonresident alien is treated as resident alien for tax purposes (see Publication 519 for information on nonresident alien status)

    

 

Number of years of post-secondary education available

 

Only if student hasn't completed 4 years of postsecondary education before 2021

 

All years of postsecondary education and for courses to acquire or improve job skills

 

All years of postsecondary education and for courses to acquire or improve job skills

 

 

Number of tax years credit available

 

4 tax years per eligible student (including any years former Hope credit claimed)

 

Unlimited

 

 

 

Type of program required

 

Student must be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential 

 

Student does not need to be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential

 This deduction is based on adjusted qualified education expenses paid to an eligible educational institution (postsecondary)

 

 

Number of courses

 

Student must be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period beginning in 2021

Available for one or more courses   Available for one or more courses

 

Felony drug conviction

 

No felony drug convictions as of the end of 2021

 

Does not apply 

 

 

 

Qualified expenses

 

Tuition, required enrollment fees and course materials needed for course of study 

 

Tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance 

 Generally, qualified education expenses are amounts paid in the current year for tuition and fees required for the student’s enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution. Required fees include amounts for books, supplies, and equipment used in a course of study if required to be paid to the institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance.

 

Whom can you claim the benefit for?

 

  • You
  • Your spouse
  • Student you claim as a dependent on your return 

 

  • You
  • Your spouse
  • Student you claim as a dependent on your return

   

 

Who must pay the qualified expenses?

 

 

 

 

Payments for academic periods

 

Made in 2020 for academic periods beginning in 2020 or the first 3 months of 2021

    

How to correct this error: 

From our homepage, click on "sign in" to enter the username and password to access your account. Select the current year return that is rejected.

Click on the Credits Summary tab, scroll down to  revisit the Education credit to make corrections and review your entries.

If your adjusted gross income is greater than the amounts listed above for your filing status you will need to Delete the education credit entry. If your adjusted gross income is not greater than the amounts listed above you will need to Edit your education credit to verify your entries are correct. If your entries are correct please contact Customer Service for assistance.

Once you have made your correction you will then save and continue to the end of your return and resubmit.

*We strongly recommend checking the status of your return in 24-48 hours using the Login to My Income Tax Return link to verify that your return has been accepted.


Article Details
Views: 1602 Created on: Jun 15, 2013