Scholarships and Tax Credits
Hope and Lifetime Learning Overview
There are two education tax credits available for
2004, the Hope Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The credits are
based on education expenses paid for you, your spouse, or your
dependents. During any particular year, you can claim only one of the
credits for each student.
The amount of the credit is determined by the amount
you pay for "qualified tuition and related expenses" for each student
and the amount of your modified adjusted gross income (modified AGI).
Qualifying Expenses
Expenses that qualify are tuition and fees
required for enrollment or attendance at an accredited college,
university, vocational school, or other post?secondary educational
institution that is eligible to participate in a student aid program
administered by the Department of Education.
Qualified expenses do not include room and board,
insurance, transportation, or other similar personal, living, or
family expenses. Qualified expenses may include fees for books,
supplies, and equipment only if the fees must be paid to the school
for the student's enrollment or attendance. In addition, qualified
expenses may include student activity fees if the fee must be paid
to the school for the student's enrollment or attendance.
Eligibility
You can claim a Hope Credit only for an "eligible
student." An "eligible student" is a student who:
-
As of the beginning of the year, has not
completed the first two years of post?secondary education (that
is, generally is a freshman or sophomore in college).
-
Is enrolled in a program that leads to a
degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential,
for at least one academic period beginning during the year.
-
Is taking at least one?half of the normal
full?time workload for the student's course of study for at
least one academic period beginning during the calendar year,
and
-
Is free of any federal or state felony
conviction for possessing or distributing a controlled substance
as of the end of the year.
You can claim a Hope Credit for only two tax
years for each eligible student. An eligible student can be you,
your spouse, or your dependent for whom you claim an exemption. The
maximum Hope Credit is $1,500 for each eligible student (100% of the
first $1,000 of qualified tuition and related expenses, plus 50% of
the next $1,000 of such expenses).
The Hope Credit is gradually reduced if your modified adjusted gross
income is between $42,000 and $52,000 ($85,000 and $105,000 in the
case of a joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your
modified AGI is $52,000 or more ($105,000 or more in the case of a
joint return). You cannot claim the credit if you are married filing
a separate return.
You are allowed a Lifetime Learning Credit of 20%
of the first $10,000 you paid for qualified tuition and related
expenses for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent for whom you
claim an exemption. The maximum amount of credit you can claim for
2004 is $2,000 (20% of $10,000) for all students in the family.
The Lifetime Learning Credit is not based on the student's workload. It
is allowed for one or more courses that the student takes at an eligible
educational institution. The credit is not limited to students in the
first two years of post?secondary education. Expenses for graduate?level
degree work are eligible. However, to be eligible for the credit, the
student must be taking course work in order to acquire or improve job
skills. There is no limit on the number of tax years for which the
Lifetime Learning credit can be claimed for each student. The amount you
can claim as a credit does not vary (i.e., increase) based on the number
of students for whom you pay qualified expenses. However, that amount
may be reduced based on your modified AGI. The credit is gradually
reduced if your modified AGI is between $42,000 and $52,000 ($85,000 and
$105,000 in the case of a joint return). You cannot claim the credit if
you are married filing a separate return.
Information Reporting
By January 31 of each
year, LSUHSC will send you
statement
1098-T. This form is required by the IRS for each
eligible student.
IRS
Publications and Notices
This information is not intended as
legal or tax advice. Individuals should obtain
IRS Publication 970, or
contact a tax practitioner about personal income tax situations.
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