mariela88

Hello,

I am 24 years old and, according to the FAFSA, am now considered an independent student. I know that I will be a dependent on my parents' tax return next year, since I have now job, and am concerned due to the fact that I have never received a Pell Grant until now. Every year I apply, I never receive any grants due to the fact that my parents earn a sufficient income to cover my school expenses. When I tried to pay my tuition, I discovered that I have received a Pell Grant of around $2,000, although my tuition for this semester is only $630. I was wondering if the Pell Grant can be taxable income on my parents' income tax return for next year? If so, is there anyway to reject the Pell Grant? I don't want my parents to pay taxes on this money, if I already have the money saved up to pay for the tuition for this semester.

Thanks for your help!

sybbie719

Even though you will be living with your parents, you will still be considered an independent student. Any direct monies paid by them for your care (food, rent, etc) would be listed as income. You will not have to list as income if you are living in their house and eating their food .

After your tuition and fees are paid, any balance will be given to you for books/expenses. It is not taxable income to you or your parents.

swimcatsmom

No, it is not taxable income on your parents taxes. Scholarships/grants are taxable income if they exceed qualified education expenses, but they are taxable income to you - not your parents. Even if you are claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return, you can still file your own tax return.

Your parents may or may not be able to claim you as a dependent on their taxes. As you are 24 years old you are no longer a qualifying child for tax purposes so they can not claim you as a qualifying child. They may be able to claim you as a qualifying relative if you meet all the criteria ( Not a qualifying child, Gross Income, Total Support,
Relationship, Joint return, Citizenship). The ones that seem most pertinent to your situation are the Gross Income test (your gross income can not exceed the personal exemption amount - $3800 for 2012), and total support (they must provide more than half your support)

Whether they can claim you or not is something you need to figure out.There is absolutely no sense in turning down the Pell grant. If it is taxable, it is taxable to you whether you are your parents' dependent or not. If you have no other income, it is likely not going to incur any taxes. But even if it did, you would still be better off with it than without it. (for example if $2000 was taxable at 10%, you would pay $200 in taxes and have $1800 left. Where is the sense in throwing away $1800 to save $200 taxes?

swimcatsmom

Actually it is taxable income. Scholarships/grants (including need based grants such as the Pell) in excess of qualified education expenses are taxable. Qualified expenses include tuition/fees/required books and supplies. Any other expenses are not qualified education expenses and scholarship/grant money used for those are taxable income to the student. Though in this case it does not sound like the student will have enough total income to actually incur any taxes. (and even if he did, still better to get the money and pay some tax than not get it)