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March 14, 2024
Question

Do I count scholarship income in the state I went to school or in the state I live in?

  • March 14, 2024
  • 1 reply
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My daughter's school charges tuition for spring semester in December of the previous year, but posts scholarships in January. This resulted in her showing that she has a larger amount in scholarships than she paid in tuition, so she owes taxes on the difference. But for her state taxes, is that income considered taxable for the state she went to school in or the state she lives in?

1 reply

Hal_Al
Employee
March 14, 2024

Q. For her state taxes, is that income considered taxable for the state she went to school in or the state she lives in?

A. Only the state she and her parents live in.

 

Q. Is that scholarship taxable, due to the mismatched years?

A. Not necessarily. This is a common problem. So common, that the TurboTax interview accounts for it.

 

The 1098-T is only an informational document. The numbers on it are not required to be entered onto your tax return. However receipt of a 1098-T frequently means you are either eligible for a tuition credit or possibly your student has taxable scholarship income. 

If you claim the tuition credit, you do need to report that you got one or that you qualify for an exception (the TurboTax interview will handle this)

You claim the tuition credit, or report scholarship income, based on your own financial records, not the 1098-T. In the 1098-T screen, click on the link "What if this is not what I paid the school" underneath box 1. You will then be able to enter the actual amounts paid. You will also reach a screen that allows you to adjust the scholarship amount for "amounts not awarded for 2023 expenses".

Or if you find it easier, just change the numbers in boxes 1& 5 to what your records show. The 1098-T that you enter in TT is not sent to the IRS.