[Smitty11]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I’ve passed BEC and am currently studying audit to sit during the next tax window. I thought this place may be able to help me. For the last couple of years my fiance’s cousin was helping her prepare her tax returns. She was working and a full time student. However, they filed a 1040EZ both years instead of the 1040a. Thus, she wasn’t claiming any of her tuition for a tax credit.

Is it possible to amend that return so that she can recognize the tuition paid or is she out of luck because the 1040EZ was filed?

Thanks for the help, I don’t have any experience doing tax work (except filing my own) and a few google searches didn’t really turn up anything.

[Anonymous]

Was she a dependent on someone else's return? If not, then I don't know why you couldn't amend the return. She should have taken an education credit of some sort. I don't know which one she would qualify to take.

[Anonymous]

Was she a dependent on someone else's return? If not, then I don't know why you couldn't amend the return. She should have taken an education credit of some sort. I don't know which one she would qualify to take.

[Smitty11]

No, her parents stopped claiming her as a dependent when she was 18 so she was claiming herself. I really don't know why she didn't bring up tuition when they were completing the return. I just didn't know if since you elected not to take the credits at the time the IRS would kind of give the “you snooze you lose” situation.

Thanks!

[Smitty11]

No, her parents stopped claiming her as a dependent when she was 18 so she was claiming herself. I really don't know why she didn't bring up tuition when they were completing the return. I just didn't know if since you elected not to take the credits at the time the IRS would kind of give the “you snooze you lose” situation.

Thanks!

[Tncincy]

Smitty11, there are income guidelines to tuition credit also. Just because your cousin attended college does not mean there is a credit to obtain. They should be prepared with school documents if they are going to amend a return for college tuition credit. If they filed a 1040 ez they probably do not qualify tuition credit. go to IRS.GOV to find the tuition credit instructions, This is to keep it simple and not try to amend the return on the forum.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

Smitty11, there are income guidelines to tuition credit also. Just because your cousin attended college does not mean there is a credit to obtain. They should be prepared with school documents if they are going to amend a return for college tuition credit. If they filed a 1040 ez they probably do not qualify tuition credit. go to IRS.GOV to find the tuition credit instructions, This is to keep it simple and not try to amend the return on the forum.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[sewatk01]

You can amend a tax return to obtain a credit or refund within 3 years of the date you filed the return, or within two years of paying the tax (whichever is later). She can amend to claim an education credit for qualifying education expenses assuming she wasn't a dependent on someone else's return and the expenses meet education requirements (as mentioned above). Good luck!

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarahharrisberger

BEC - 12/13 88!
FAR - 2/14 82 Thank goodness!!! 🙂
REG - 7/14 81
AUD - 8/14

[sewatk01]

You can amend a tax return to obtain a credit or refund within 3 years of the date you filed the return, or within two years of paying the tax (whichever is later). She can amend to claim an education credit for qualifying education expenses assuming she wasn't a dependent on someone else's return and the expenses meet education requirements (as mentioned above). Good luck!

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarahharrisberger

BEC - 12/13 88!
FAR - 2/14 82 Thank goodness!!! 🙂
REG - 7/14 81
AUD - 8/14

[Smitty11]

Thanks everyone, I think I am going to send in the amended returns for the 2 years after verifying that she falls within the income guidelines, as tncincy suggested. I guess my question is, it can't really hurt to try, right? I mean, if I send it in and the IRS disagrees, they can just reject it and thats the end of it, correct? Its worth a shot, I guess.

Thanks

[Smitty11]

Thanks everyone, I think I am going to send in the amended returns for the 2 years after verifying that she falls within the income guidelines, as tncincy suggested. I guess my question is, it can't really hurt to try, right? I mean, if I send it in and the IRS disagrees, they can just reject it and thats the end of it, correct? Its worth a shot, I guess.

Thanks

[Author]

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