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February 7, 2024
Question

Grandparent-owned 1098T - who reports?

  • February 7, 2024
  • 2 replies
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With a grandparent owned 529 - does grandparent claim 1099Q on their taxes?  Then how does parent report 1098T on taxes for dependent?  Do we add it and leave box 1 blank?  

    2 replies

    CXC10Author
    February 7, 2024

    Edited original post already.

    Hal_Al
    Employee
    February 7, 2024

    I assume you meant Grandparent-owned 1099-Q, not  Grandparent-owned 1098-T.

     

    Your situation takes coordination of the educational expenses with the parent and maybe the student too. You allocate the expenses for the best tax advantage for the family. 

     

    Q. With a grandparent owned 529 - does grandparent claim 1099Q on their taxes?

    A. Yes, if the grandparent was the "recipient" and if it even needs to be reported.  See explanation below the line.

     

    Q. Then how does parent report 1098T on taxes for dependent?

    A. The 1098-T can be entered on multiple tax returns, with adjustments, as need. 

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________

    Qualified Tuition Plans  (QTP 529 Plans) Distributions

    General Discussion

    It’s complicated.

    For 529 plans, there is an “owner” (usually the parent, but could be a grandparent), and a “beneficiary” (usually the student dependent). The "recipient" of the distribution can be either the owner or the beneficiary depending on who the money was sent to. When the money goes directly from the Qualified Tuition Plan (QTP) to the school, the student is the "recipient". The distribution will be reported on IRS form 1099-Q. 
    The 1099-Q gets reported on the recipient's return.** The recipient's name & SS# will be on the 1099-Q.
    Even though the 1099-Q is going on the student's return, the 1098-T should go on the parent's return, so you can claim the education credit. You can do this because he is your dependent.

    You can and should claim the tuition credit before claiming the 529 plan earnings exclusion. The American Opportunity Credit (AOC or AOTC) is 100% of the first $2000 of tuition and 25% of the next $2000 ($2500 maximum credit). The educational expenses he claims for the 1099-Q should be reduced by the amount of educational expenses you claim for the credit.
    But be aware, you can not double dip. You cannot count the same tuition money, for the tuition credit,  that gets him an exclusion from the taxability of the earnings (interest) on the 529 plan. Since the credit is more generous; use as much of the tuition as is needed for the credit and the rest for the interest exclusion. Another special rule allows you to claim the tuition credit even though it was "his" money that paid the tuition.
    In addition, there is another rule that says the 10% penalty is waived if he was unable to cover the 529 plan withdrawal with educational expenses either because he got scholarships or the expenses were used (by him or the parents) to claim the credits. He'll have to pay tax on the earnings, at his lower tax rate (subject to the “kiddie tax”), but not the penalty.

     

    Total qualified expenses (including room & board) less amounts paid by scholarship less amounts used to claim the Tuition credit equals the amount you can use to claim the earnings exclusion on the 1099-Q. 
    Example:
      $10,000 in educational expenses(including room & board which is only qualified for the 1099-Q)

       -$3000 paid by tax free scholarship***

       -$4000 used to claim the American Opportunity credit

     =$3000 Can be used against the 1099-Q (on the recipient’s return)

     

    Box 1 of the 1099-Q is $5000

    Box 2 is $2800

    3000/5000=60% of the earnings are tax free; 40% are taxable

    40% x 2800= $1120

    There is  $1120 of taxable income (on the recipient’s return)

     

    **Alternatively; you can just not report the 1099-Q, at all, if your student-beneficiary has sufficient educational expenses, including room & board (even if he lives at home) to cover the distribution. You would still have to do the math to see if there were enough expenses left over for you to claim the tuition credit. Again, you cannot double dip!  When the box 1 amount on form 1099-Q is fully covered by expenses, TurboTax will enter nothing about the 1099-Q on the actual tax forms. But, it will prepare a 1099-Q worksheet for your records, in case of an IRS inquiry.

    On form 1099-Q, instructions to the recipient reads: "Nontaxable distributions from CESAs and QTPs are not required to be reported on your income tax return. You must determine the taxability of any distribution." 

    ***Another alternative is have the student report some of his scholarship as taxable income, to free up some expenses for the 1099-Q and/or tuition credit. Most people come out better having the scholarship taxable before the 529 earnings. 

     

     

    Hal_Al
    Employee
    February 7, 2024

    Provide the following info for more specific help:

    • Is the  student  the parent's dependent.
    • Box 1 of the 1098-T
    • box 5 of the 1098-T
    • Any other scholarships not shown in box 5
    • Does box 5 include any of the 529/ESA plan payments (it should not)
    • Is any of the Scholarship restricted; i.e. it must be used for tuition
    • Box 1 of the 1099-Q
    • Box 2 of the 1099-Q
    • Who’s name and SS# are on the 1099-Q,  (who’s the “recipient”)?
    • Room & board paid. If student lives off campus, what is school's R&B on campus charge. If he lives at home, the school’s R&B “allowance for cost of attendance” for student living with parents.
    • Other qualified expenses not included in box 1 of the 1098-T, e.g. books & computers
    • How much taxable income does the student have, from what sources
    • is the parent trying to claim the tuition credit (are they eligible)?
    • Is the student an undergrad or grad student?
    • Is the student a degree candidate attending school half time or more?
    CXC10Author
    February 7, 2024

    First thanks for your quick reply and I am digesting your other response.  

     

    • I now have 2 students with 1098-T's and they are both dependents on my return.
    • Students' Grandfather wants to and has reported 1099Q on his return.
    • Just realized one of the 1098-T's is incorrect, I believe, as it seems to have included Spring 2024 tuition - it is calendar year, correct, not school year?
    • It does have my sons' names and SSN on the 1099Q - most sites say they need to claim, but he is the account owner so he can claim, correct?
    • We are not trying to claim education credit only because my dad was including the 1099Q in his taxes.
    • Both undergrads.  One lived in dorm, one off campus with living expenses about equal to living on campus.
    • Both full time students.

     

    Thanks!