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March 6, 2020
Question

Student Loan Interest deduction for a dependant

  • March 6, 2020
  • 1 reply
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I want to take the student loan interest deduction for my dependent. How do I do this with Turbo Tax. How do I answer the "Did you have higher education expenses" question on my tax return, and my dependents. I wouldn't think we can both answer yes.

    1 reply

    SusanY1
    March 6, 2020

    You can both answer yes go get to the necessary questions in TurboTax.

     

    This question isn't recorded on your tax return- it simply gets to the questions in the interview that allow you to enter the information necessary.  As long as you do not both claim the same interest or expenses on your returns, it is okay for you to both answer the question that you both have expenses.   

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    Employee
    March 7, 2020

    STUDENT LOAN INTEREST

    Only the person whose name is on the student loan and who is legally obligated to pay the loan can deduct the student loan interest.  If you did not sign or co-sign for the loan you cannot deduct the interest.

    You cannot deduct student loan interest if you are being claimed as someone else’s dependent, or if you are filing as married filing separately.

    The student loan interest deduction can reduce your taxable income by up to $2500

    There is a phaseout for the Student loan interest deduction, which means the amount you can deduct gets reduced when your modified adjusted gross income hits certain income levels and is even eliminated at certain income levels -  

    • If your filing status is single, head of household, or qualifying widow(er), then the phaseout begins at $65,000 until $80,000, after which the deduction is eliminated entirely.

    • If your filing status is married filing joint, then the phaseout beings at  $130,000 until $160,000, after which the deduction is eliminated entirely.

    Enter the interest you paid for your student loan by going to Federal>Deductions and Credits>Education>Student Loan Interest Paid in 2019 (Form 1098E)

    Look on your 2019 Schedule 1 line 20 to see your student loan interest deduction

    **Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**