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June 7, 2019
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I received 5k from work for tuition reimbursement in Jan 2017 for Fall 2016 semester. I'll get 5K in May2017 for Spring. How do I report this?

  • June 7, 2019
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I'm a full time student in Massachusetts and I'm making $55,000 before taxes. The refunds I'm receiving are not taxed. I'm confused on what to do since my first refund was for 2016 semester..although I received the money in Jan 2017? 

Best answer by MichaelMc

Amounts received by an employee under a written educational assistance plan are excluded from taxable income, up to $5,250 per year. It would appear that your employer has the intention to treat the payment you just received as a 2016 benefit and the payment in May as your 2017 benefit, both within the maximum for the respective year. 

The amount received should not be included in Box 1 of Form W-2. Since the benefit is not taxed, you have no reporting obligation on your tax return.

For more information, please see IRS Pub. 970 Tax Benefits for Education.

1 reply

MichaelMcAnswer
Employee
June 7, 2019

Amounts received by an employee under a written educational assistance plan are excluded from taxable income, up to $5,250 per year. It would appear that your employer has the intention to treat the payment you just received as a 2016 benefit and the payment in May as your 2017 benefit, both within the maximum for the respective year. 

The amount received should not be included in Box 1 of Form W-2. Since the benefit is not taxed, you have no reporting obligation on your tax return.

For more information, please see IRS Pub. 970 Tax Benefits for Education.

June 7, 2019
What happens in this scenario if 529 funds were used up front to pay the tuition?