Computers and AOC

[Debruns]

<p>I had to buy one of my daughters a new computer last year, hers crashed and was giving her issues for a while.
Most people say that computers can’t be part of AOC expenses unless the school says she needs the computer. I did have colleges for other children say, “buy ours or one like it” as freshman, they wanted similar programs, etc. but I’m sure at most schools, it’s implied. How else would they check emails, send assisgnments, etc. Not everyone could use the library.</p>

<p>I was going to call our local tax office, but I’m curious how most of you read the somewhat vague tax rules.</p>

[4kidsdad]

<p>

it’s implied

Implied expenses are not AOTC qualified expenses.</p>

<p>See [American</a> Opportunity Tax Credit: Questions and Answers](<a href=“http://www.irs.gov/uac/American-Opportunity-Tax-Credit:-Questions-and-Answers]American”>http://www.irs.gov/uac/American-Opportunity-Tax-Credit:-Questions-and-Answers)

Q7. Does an expenditure for a computer qualify for the American opportunity tax credit?</p>

<p>A. Whether an expenditure for a computer qualifies for the credit depends on the facts. An expenditure for a computer would qualify for the credit if the computer is needed as a condition of enrollment or attendance at the educational institution.

</p>

[Debruns]

<p>Ok…Yale had said incoming freshman didnt have to buy theirs but they wanted them to consider it…they could buy compatible model. I will try to ask later today.</p>

[3bm103]

<p>The maximum AOTC is based on qualified tuition of $4,000. If student is attending Yale, chances are you won’t need to add in the computer.</p>

[mathmomvt]

<p>You can include the purchase of textbooks if for some reason your tuition expenses aren’t sufficient (perhaps because of paying them with a combination of grants and 529 funds).</p>

[CTScoutmom]

<p>It’s based on qualified expenses PAID by the student or parents, not billed or paid by scholarships or grants. It is quite possible all tuition (and maybe more) was covered by grants or scholarships.</p>

<p>That said, a computer is not a required item at Yale, per their website: [Telephones</a>, TV, Computers | Yale College](<a href=“http://yalecollege.yale.edu/content/telephones-tv-computers]Telephones”>http://yalecollege.yale.edu/content/telephones-tv-computers)</p>

<p>

Yale College has no computer ownership requirement or operating system preference. However, over ninety percent of Yale undergraduates own personal computers, with a Windows to Macintosh ratio of about one to one. Students with personal computers can connect to Yale’s network from their rooms, using in-room Ethernet connections, or from various locations around campus by means of wired and wireless networks.

</p>

[Debruns]

<p>Thank you…we do qualify for AOC so I will just take off her books and notebooks.</p>

[mathmomvt]

<p>I don’t think you can count notebooks and other basic supplies. Only things that are explicitly required for the program (like if the prof required her to buy a specific type of lab notebook or something).</p>