Do I select that "I was a full time student", I was full time from Jan-April.

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
February 14, 2025
2 replies
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I was taking full time college classes from Jan-Apr. and graduated in May

Best answer by Hal_Al

Yes, Graduating in May counts as being full time from Jan-May. You were still an enrolled student. So you meet the 5 month rule.

Full time student has two meanings* in taxes. First, the five month rule must be met (if you are over 18) for you to be a "Qualifying Child" dependent on your parent's (or other close relative's) tax return. Hence the question in the personal info section. To claim a tuition credit, you only need to be half time or more, and for no specific time length (basically "full time" is meaningless in the educational expenses section).

*There are third and fourth and fifth meanings having to do with the "kiddie tax", eligibility for the refundable portion of the AOTC and eligibility for the Retirement Savers Credit.

KrisD15

Yes, If you were full-time any time in 2024, you're full-time the entire year.

Additionally the requirements for "being a student changes" depending what you are asking in reference to-

it's at least part of at last 5 months for the requirement to be considered a dependent

it's enrolled at least one academic period and carry at least 1/2 the workload for an education credit

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Hal_AlAnswer

Employee

Yes, Graduating in May counts as being full time from Jan-May. You were still an enrolled student. So you meet the 5 month rule.

*There are third and fourth and fifth meanings having to do with the "kiddie tax", eligibility for the refundable portion of the AOTC and eligibility for the Retirement Savers Credit.