Tax breaks, credits, and rules for students, parents, and educators — everything about taxes and paying for school.
My kids started school today and already the cry for volunteers has started. I’m not complaining because I get it. Schools are increasingly the target of cuts in spending (deserved or not is another question) and as a result, they are in a scramble to make up for missing programs, teacher shortages, and funding. Fortunately,…
I’m a terrible procrastinator. At least that’s what the retail world thinks. I totally admit that I’m one of those parents who expects to actually find school supplies on the shelves in September. And for some crazy reason, I feel like I should be able to buy fall jackets when it’s cool out and not…
It’s never a good thing to have a handful of auditors descend upon your business. It’s even worse when you planned to spend the day lobbying City Council to plug holes in your budget. That’s exactly what happened to the School District of Philadelphia. As noted previously, the embattled district is facing massive shortfalls in its…
Mark this day in your calendars. Even though it feels like a regular ol’ Monday, it’s not. It’s the day that our educational system changed forever. Okay, that’s a bit dramatic. (Insert long sigh here for effect.) But the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling today in the consolidated cases of Arizona Christian School Tuition…
When I was in college, I spent a year in the northeast of England (Hull, to be exact) on an exchange program. I had a blast. I also learned a lot about the British educational system. My peers also learned a lot about our system in the US – and were shocked to learn how…
Taxpayer asks: I am retired and my wife and I support a son in college. We send him $2000/mo for room and board and I spend another $900/month paying off his Sallie Mae student loans. Is any of this deductible? If so, where do I declare it on my tax form. I generally use an…
Taxpayer asks: Hi Taxgirl, This is related to a previous question you answered. I am searching all over the place for the answer to this question, and I can’t seem to find it. I know that my work-related education is tax-deductible and that I have to include it on my Schedule C form. However, I’m…
Taxpayer asks: Hello. You answered a question asking whether private school tuition was deductible. Our daughter is enrolled in full-day kindergarten at a public school in which we pay tuition. Any luck with deducting this? I mean, they are double-dipping in our wallets with this one. Thanks! Taxgirl says: I say that the same analysis…
Taxpayer asks: The PTA 501(c)(3) at my son’s local public elementary school sponsors a language and a chess class. Is the tuition we paid for these classes considered a charitable contribution? Taxgirl says: Probably not. You generally can’t deduct the cost that you pay for goods or services provided by a charitable organization. There is…
Taxpayer asks: Two weeks into the school season and my son has already brought home his first fundraising catalog. They have asked each child in the class to try and sell $150 of merchandise, mostly gift wrap and cookie tins. I don’t have the time or inclination to sell this crap. Can I buy it…
