Do I elect the option to file as a student on my taxes? Or not? Please help.

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
April 11, 2022
1 reply
0 views

I was a college student from 01/01/2021 to 05/13/2021 (graduation). I then got a job in June of 2021. It is my first salaried job that I have ever had to file taxes for.

TurboTax is asking me if I am or was a full-time student in 2021. Technically yes, but I did not file my own taxes as a student or pay my own tuition (my parents paid it through a 529). Do I still say I was a student? Or do I select the "no" option for being a student because I do not have a 1098-T nor did I pay my own tuition for this tax year?

I also have money from my current salaried job going into a retirement fund but I can't reflect that on my returns as a student... So I don't know what to put.

weissracAuthor

Also just realized I was only a part-time student in the Spring of 2021 before I graduated, since I was only taking 6 credits to finish my degree. I still only began supporting myself in June 2021, but I believe with that information I will still put "NO" for full-time....

AmyC

Employee

Correct, a part time student would answer no to being a full time student. You will need to determine if your parents paid over half your support for the year and if they plan to claim you and any education credit.

You do not qualify for the retirement savings credit since you were a student, unless the college is not issuing a 1098-T. The IRS will cross check.

You may want to go through Whom May I Claim as a Dependent? with your parents along with reviewing

IRS Worksheet for Determining Support..

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

weissracAuthor

Thank you for the help - follow up question:

I only made my own money and supported myself through the last 5.5 to 6 months of the year but when I select that I am not a student, TurboTax is saying I qualify for 2021's stimulus check... Is that accurate? I fear I will have to amend my return or re-file if I move forward with this return of getting an entire stimulus check since I was not employed Jan-May of last year, but I wasn't unemployed... I was just a student. And the university did not provide me any 1098-Ts for 2021, only 2020.