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Date last modified: 12/27/07 |
Education
Credits and Deductions Coverdell ESA The annual
contribution to a Coverdell Education Savings Accounts is set at $2,000 per beneficiary and the final date on
which the contributions can be made is extended to April 15 of the following
year. There is no immediate tax benefit for making a contribution, but
Coverdell ESA monies can be used, tax-free, for qualified education expenses
including tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment and some room and board
expenses.
Coverdell ESAs can be used for certain
elementary, secondary, parochial and private school expenses. Contributions can
be made until the beneficiary turns 18. Amounts remaining in the account when
the beneficiary turns 30 must be withdrawn (with tax consequences) or rolled
over for the benefit of another family member. Contributors must meet an AGI
test for their contributions to be eligible for Coverdell tax benefits. Qualified Tuition Program (QTP)/529
Plans Also known as the 529 Plan, QTPs are another form of saving
for future higher education expenses. Some plans allow the plan owner to lock in
"tomorrow’s tuition at today’s price". 529 plans are offered both by states and
private firms, and allow for a monetarily significant account balance.
Oregon permits a tax credit for participants in the State’s plan. There are no
AGI or income tests associated with 529 plans as there are with Coverdells. Because of the wide variety of investment opportunities available, it is
important to get all the details and compare several types of plans.
Contact Bill for more information about Oregon-endorsed 529 Plans. IRA Withdrawals for Education Purposes Withdrawals from a
traditional or Roth IRA for qualified higher education expenses are exempt from
the 10% early withdrawal penalty. In some circumstances, income tax may be assessed on the
amount withdrawn. Student Loan Interest Deduction An "above-the-line" deduction in calculating adjusted gross income, all
student loan interest paid during the tax year can be used to calculate the
deduction. The maximum deduction is limited to $2,500 per taxpayer.
There is an AGI test to be met and the person who's name is on the loan is the
only one who can claim this deduction. If a parent has co-signed for the
loan, the parent may take the deduction only if the he/she is also claiming the
dependency deduction. If the loan is only in the child's name and the
parents are claiming the dependency deduction, then no one can deduct the
student loan interest. Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits Expenses paid by scholarships, grants, Coverdell or QTP monies cannot be used to calculate the Hope or Lifetime Learning Credits but loan proceeds used to pay the eligible expenses – primarily tuition — do count. Both credits have an AGI test. To take either credit, the taxpayer cannot be claimed as someone else’s dependent. The Hope Credit is available for students in their first two academic years of post-secondary education. The student must be enrolled at least halftime and be pursuing a degree or credential. The credit is worth a maximum of $1,800 in 2007. The Hope Credit can be used for more than one student on the same tax return. The
Lifetime Learning Credit is available
for all subsequent years of post-secondary education. The credit is
limited to a maximum of $2,000 per tax return (not student). The student may take any class-load and
does not need to be pursuing a degree or credential. Employer Education Benefits Does your employer pay for higher education costs? Up to $5,250 of the benefit is excludable from your income. Only under- and post-graduate courses are eligible. If the course of study is not job-related, the tuition reimbursement arrangements must be in writing. |
