FacebookTwitter
Hatrack River Forum   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » Tax Help (mayfly)

   
Author Topic: Tax Help (mayfly)
Dr Strangelove
Member
Member # 8331

 - posted      Profile for Dr Strangelove   Email Dr Strangelove         Edit/Delete Post 
I know there's a tax thread around here somewhere, but I couldn't think of a search criteria that didn't give me tons of results, so I decided to use the indefatigable tool known as "mayfly".

Really quick, I'm an unmarried dependent student. I get a subsidized loan (Stafford Loan) of $5500 a year, and also a 100% scholarship/grant thinger (Bright Futures. It's automatic in Florida if you get a certain SAT score). I didn't work last year until November, when I started a part time, minimum wage job. They gave me a W-2 thing (I think thats what it was) which I don't have in front of me, but my income was definitely not over $1000, probably closer to $500.

Do I need to file? And if I do, is there anything special I should be aware of, or should I just plow ahead into the IRS website and figure it out myself?

Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
pooka
Member
Member # 5003

 - posted      Profile for pooka   Email pooka         Edit/Delete Post 
You can fill out a free file program through an approved vendor from IRS.gov (which you'll have to register for) and it will tell you what the outcome is before you have to submit a final deal. Was federal tax withheld from your pay? If not, the look into "minimum filing requirements" on the IRS.gov site, you might not need to file. Though I believe you have to file to get the stimulus prebate - if you qualify for that (which I also don't know.)
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Dr Strangelove
Member
Member # 8331

 - posted      Profile for Dr Strangelove   Email Dr Strangelove         Edit/Delete Post 
I just found the part on the IRS website which does seem to indicate that I have to file, because the Stafford Loan counts as income, and I have to file if I have $5350 in income. I'm thinking I'll have had about $5500 in income. Oh well. I guess filing won't be all bad. At least it'll give me something to do while I wait for my finals to roll around.
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rivka
Member
Member # 4859

 - posted      Profile for rivka   Email rivka         Edit/Delete Post 
Loans are NOT income. Grants can be, depending.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Dr Strangelove
Member
Member # 8331

 - posted      Profile for Dr Strangelove   Email Dr Strangelove         Edit/Delete Post 
Ooook then. I guess I misread. :-)
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rivka
Member
Member # 4859

 - posted      Profile for rivka   Email rivka         Edit/Delete Post 
Sometimes you can get a tax credit for interest paid on a Stafford. And if all or part of your loan is forgiven, you currently have to pay taxes on that. (Although there are several groups trying to change that.)

But there is no tax on the initial disbursements.

Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Dr Strangelove
Member
Member # 8331

 - posted      Profile for Dr Strangelove   Email Dr Strangelove         Edit/Delete Post 
I just saw something else which says:
quote:
I received an academic scholarship that is designated to be used for tuition and books. Is this taxable?

Qualified scholarships and fellowships are treated as tax-free amounts if all of the following conditions are met:

- You are a candidate for a degree at an educational institution,
- Amounts you receive as a scholarship or fellowship are used for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction, and
- The amounts received are not a payment for your services.

So ... I'm guessing that means my scholarship is tax-free, since it meets those criteria. I think I'm going to file anyways though, just so that I can say I have. I feel like a baby not filing taxes.
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rivka
Member
Member # 4859

 - posted      Profile for rivka   Email rivka         Edit/Delete Post 
Most states' grants are tuition/fees only, or tuition/fees/books, so non-taxable. From what you're saying, sounds like that's true for you.

*laugh* That's a weird reason to file taxes. Hope you get back something.

Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Farmgirl
Member
Member # 5567

 - posted      Profile for Farmgirl   Email Farmgirl         Edit/Delete Post 
I'm bumping this "obviously not a mayfly" thread because I'm stuck on a tax form and beating my head.

Trying to do my daughter's pretty simple taxes. Should be just 1040EZ, basically.

But she has this 1098-T form from the college that is throwing the whole thing off and the software now has her owing like $2000 (she only made $5000 in wages last year). I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

If some of you tax-savvy people have dealt with this 1098-T form before and can help me, please contact! [Frown]

Posts: 9538 | Registered: Aug 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
KetchupPrinceConsort
Member
Member # 8047

 - posted      Profile for KetchupPrinceConsort   Email KetchupPrinceConsort         Edit/Delete Post 
If you had federal taxes withheld from your wages, then you should get all of that back as well as the stimulus credit.
Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rivka
Member
Member # 4859

 - posted      Profile for rivka   Email rivka         Edit/Delete Post 
FG, try this EdFund publication.

Also, if she is your dependent, YOU should be taking the education credit, not her. In fact, unless she pays taxes, she can't. Although the new stimulus package may change that -- I haven't seen guidelines released on that yet.

Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Farmgirl
Member
Member # 5567

 - posted      Profile for Farmgirl   Email Farmgirl         Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks to both of you -

KPC - I just saw your e-mail and sent you back full details. Thanks so much.

Posts: 9538 | Registered: Aug 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2