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February 21, 2020
Question

1098-T and grandparents

  • February 21, 2020
  • 2 replies
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If the grandparents are paying for college, can the parents of the student ( who is still a dependent) claim the deduction? If so, how? We are paying a portion of the expenses (i.e., room and board, books etc) as well as the student is paying a smaller portion.

    2 replies

    February 23, 2020

    Only the person who claims the child as a dependent can claim the educational expenses. You will claim the expenses as if you paid them. Please view this TurboTax FAQ for more information.

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    hbl3973
    Employee
    February 23, 2020

    Yes, the parents can use those payments in figuring the educational credit.  IRS publication 970, page 11 states:

     

    " Note. Qualified education expenses paid by a dependent you claim on your tax return, or by a third party for that dependent, are considered paid by you."

    You can download that publication from the IRS website using the Google search "pub 970 pdf site:irs.gov"