Tools Get Your Tax Information for FAFSA Get Your Transcript or Non-Filing Letter If you're filing a tax return, you may need to include scholarships and grants as taxable income. Tax benefits for higher education, such as loan interest deductions, credits and tuition programs, may help lower the tax you owe. Filing You may need to file a tax return depending on your gross income and whether your parents can claim you as a dependent. Find out if you need to file a tax return and if you can be claimed as a dependent. Keep in mind that scholarships and grants are typically tax free, but there may be situations where you have to include them in taxable income. Find whether your scholarship or grant is tax-free Find out if you need to include your scholarship, fellowship or education grant as income on your tax return with the Interactive Tax Assistant You may be able to get a refund even if you aren’t required to file. For example, you may qualify for a refund if you worked a part-time or full-time job for the year and your Form W-2 show federal and state withholding. Use IRS Free File online Get free tax help from volunteers Find tips for choosing a tax professional Don’t have a bank account? Missing stimulus payments: Find if you’re eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit How to report gig income Are my wages exempt from federal income tax withholding? Tax withholding What to do if you can’t pay taxes you owe Your first job Forms and Publications Get Ready to File, Publication 5348 PDF Year-round Tax Planning is for Everyone, Publication 5349 PDF Tax Benefits for Higher Education If you have student loans or pay education costs for yourself, you may be eligible to claim education deductions and credits on your tax return, such as loan interest deductions, qualified tuition programs (529 plans) and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. Students who are dependents on their parents' tax returns aren’t generally eligible to claim education credits. In this case, the student’s parents may be eligible to claim the education deductions and credits. See also: Education credits: questions and answers American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) Lifetime Learning Credit Eligibility to claim an education credit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Forms and Publications Form 8863, Education Credits (American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits) Form 1098-E, Student Loan Interest Statement Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement Form 8917, Tuition and Fees Deduction Tax Benefits for Education, Publication 970 International Students Foreign students and scholars Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs)
