2014 Wolters Kluwer, CCH Whole Ball of Tax

Contact:
Eric Scott , 847-267-2179, eric.scott@wolterskluwer.com
Brenda Au , 847-267-2046, brenda.au@wolterskluwer.com

American Opportunity Tax Credit

Lifetime Learning Credit

What it is

An enhanced Hope Credit of up to $2,500 per student per year for the first four years of post-secondary qualified tuition and expenses.

A credit of up to $2,000 per return based on expenses for post-secondary education or courses to improve job skills.

Credit amount

100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related expenses plus 25% of the next $2,000. Use Form 8863, Education Credits.

20% of the first $10,000 in qualifying expenses, to a maximum $2,000 credit. Use Form 8863, Education Credits.

Qualifying expenses

Qualified tuition and related expenses, including expenditures for course materials, such as books, supplies and equipment.

Tuition, student activity fees and course-related fees paid directly to the educational institution.

Credit phaseout ranges

Modified adjusted gross income (AGI) is $80,000-$90,000 for single filers, $160,000-$180,000 for joint returns.

Up to 40% of the credit amount is refundable if the taxpayer’s tax liability is insufficient to offset the nonrefundable credit amount.

These numbers are not subject to inflation adjustment.

Modified AGI increases to $54,000-$64,000 for single filers for 2014 (was $53,000-$63,000 for 2013) and $108,000-$128,000 for joint returns for 2014 (was $107,000-$127,000 for 2013).

Who can/can’t claim it

Can’t be taken if married filing separately.

Can’t be taken by student claimed as dependent child on another person’s return, but parent can claim credit for paying dependent child’s expenses.

Student must be enrolled in program leading to degree or other recognized credential, studying at least half-time.

Can’t be used for graduate or professional level programs or by anyone with a felony conviction for a state or federal drug offense.

Cannot be claimed by the student if he or she has unearned income subject to the “kiddie tax.”

Can’t be taken if married filing separately.

Can’t be taken by a student if claimed as dependent child on another person’s return, but parent can claim credit for paying dependent child’s expenses.

What to watch out for

Can’t be taken if Lifetime Learning Credit or tuition and fees deduction is taken for the same student.

Can’t be taken if American Opportunity Tax Credit or tuition and fees deduction is taken for the same student.

Can be taken in same year as a distribution from a Coverdell Educational Savings Account (Coverdell ESA) or qualified tuition program (529 plan), but not for same expenses.

Can be taken for expenses paid for with student loan.

Credit applies per return.

Tuition and Fees Deduction

Student Loan Interest Deduction

What it is

A deduction from gross income of up to $4,000 ($2,000 if modified AGI exceeds $65,000) based on expenses for post-secondary education.

A deduction from gross income of up to $2,500 based on interest paid on a student loan for post-secondary education.

This deduction would only have been allowed to be claimed for the first 60 months of the required payments starting in 2013. Under the ATRA, this rule was permanently suspended.

Deduction amount

100% of the first $4,000 ($2,000 if modified AGI exceeds $65,000 for single filers, $130,000 for joint filers) in qualifying expenses.

Taken on Form 1040A or 1040.

100% of the first $2,500 in qualifying expenses.

Taken on Form 1040A or 1040.

Qualifying expenses

Tuition, student activity fees and course-related fees paid directly to the educational institution.

Loan may cover books, supplies, equipment, room and board, transportation and other necessary expenses in addition to tuition, student activity fees and course-related fees paid directly to the educational institution. Interest payments are deductible for the entire period of the loan.

Deduction phaseout ranges

Full deduction is only allowed if modified AGI is not greater than $65,000 for a single filer, $130,000 for joint filers.

Taxpayers whose income exceeds that limit but does not exceed $80,000 for a single filer or $160,000 for joint filers may deduct up to $2,000 in qualified expenses in 2014.

For 2014, modified AGI is $65,000-$80,000 for a single filer, $130,000-$160,000 for joint filers.

Who can/can’t claim it

Can be taken by qualifying individuals including themselves, a spouse or a dependent.

Can’t be taken if married filing separately.

Can’t be taken if claimed as dependent on another person’s return, but parent can claim credit for child’s expenses.

The ATRA allows the deduction to be taken even for voluntary payment of interest.

Must have been in degree program and at least half-time student to take the deduction.

Can’t be taken if married filing separately.

Can’t be taken if claimed as dependent on another person’s return.

Can be taken only by the person who is responsible for the loan and who actually makes the payments.

What to watch out for

Can’t be taken if AOTC or Lifetime Learning Credit is taken for the same student.

Can be taken in same year as a distribution from a Coverdell ESA or qualified tuition program but not for same expenses.

Can be taken for expenses paid for with student loan.

Deduction is not available on Form 1040EZ.

Deduction is taken on Form 8917, Tuition and Fees Deduction.

Must reduce qualified educational expenses by the total amount paid through tax-free sources such as tax-free withdrawals from Coverdell ESAs.

Deduction is not available on Form 1040EZ.

Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA)

Qualified Tuition Program (529 Plans)

What it is

A savings account for educational expenses in which earnings grow tax-free. Withdrawals also are tax-free if used to pay for qualified educational expenses.

Three general types of 529 plans exist:

• Pre-paid tuition plans – generally guaranteeing future tuition coverage at a state university.
• State 529 college savings plans – generally sponsored by a state, allowing you to use saving plan proceeds to attend a state or private university.
• Independent 529 plans – sponsored by a consortium of private colleges, whereby you can lock in current tuition rates for future years at participating schools.

In each savings program, investment earnings are not taxed if withdrawals are used for qualified expenses.

Contributions to state-sponsored programs are partially or fully deductible on some state tax returns.

Contribution limits

The ATRA makes permanent the $2,000 maximum annual contribution per year per beneficiary.

As with IRAs, contribution can be made up to the tax filing deadline, which is April 15, 2014.

Can contribute to both a Coverdell ESA and a qualified tuition plan in the same year.

Contributions cannot be more than is necessary to provide for the higher education expenses of the beneficiary. These amounts are set by the state or educational institutions sponsoring the plan and may be in excess of $300,000. In the case of many 529s, accounts can be opened with as little as $25 and contributions as little as $15 per pay period.

There are no other specific annual contribution limits for the plans.

Qualifying expenses

Can be used to pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment for both K-12 and post-secondary.

For K-12, can also pay for uniforms, transportation, supplementary items and services such as extended day programs, room and board, and purchase of computer technology and Internet access (but cannot be used for sports, games or hobby software unless it is predominantly educational).

For post-secondary education, can cover expenses for room and board if the student is enrolled at least half-time and the amount meets certain guidelines. Can also be used to fund a qualified tuition program.

Distributions can be used for accredited post-secondary books, supplies, equipment, room and board, transportation and other necessary expenses in addition to tuition, and student activity fees and course-related fees paid directly to the accredited post-secondary educational institution.

Expenses related to the cost of computer equipment, technology or Internet access are not considered qualifying expenses for excluding qualified tuition plan distributions from gross income.

Contribution phaseout ranges

The phaseout ranges from modified AGI of $95,000-$110,000 for single filers, $190,000-$220,000 for joint filers; no phaseout for corporation or other entities, including tax-exempt organizations. These numbers are not subject to inflation adjustment.

No income limitations.

Who can/can’t claim it

Beneficiary must be younger than 18 years old or be a special needs beneficiary in the year contributions are made.

Anyone can set up an account for a beneficiary as long as the annual contribution limits for that beneficiary are not exceeded.

Someone funding a qualified tuition program for another individual can use the annual gift tax exclusion ($14,000 and $28,000 for 2013 tax filing) or combine five years’ worth of exclusions in a single year. The beneficiary can exclude funds withdrawn from the qualified program from income if they are used for qualified expenses.

What to watch out for

Beneficiary is taxed on any withdrawals not used to pay for qualified educational expenses. (Penalty-free withdrawals can be made in connection with service academy appointments, such as Annapolis or West Point.)

All funds must be withdrawn by the time beneficiary reaches age 30 (except if special needs individual), but an account can be transferred from one beneficiary to another.

All contributions must be made in cash.

As with a conventional IRA, owner of the account can exercise wide discretion as to investments. The funds, however, cannot be used to reimburse the taxpayer for home schooling.

Check tax treatment of contributions for state income tax purposes.

Limited ability to change investment options.

Possible 10% penalty if distributions are not used for qualified expenses.

Beneficiary can be changed if new beneficiary is a member of the same family.

In the case of the Independent 529 plans, if your child does not attend a member college and you either withdraw the money or transfer it to a state-run plan, you won’t be able to collect more than a 2% gain on the money you invested – even if the return realized was in excess of this.

Penalty-free withdrawals can be made in connection with service academy appointments, such as Annapolis or West Point.