• Blog
  • Tax Tips for College Students

Tax Tips for College Students

As the leaves change and the year winds down, now is a perfect time to explore ways to maximize your tax refund – especially considering the average refund last tax year was over $3,000. With the hustle and bustle of fall and winter approaching, it’s easy to overlook valuable financial strategies that can lead to significant savings. Whether you’re a college student filing taxes on your own or a parent claiming your student as a dependent, there are some steps you can take to boost your tax refund. Here are four tips to help you make the most of your tax situation this season:

1. Take Advantage of Education Tax Credits 

One of the most valuable ways to boost your refund as a college student is to take advantage of education tax credits. The two main credits available are: 

  • American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC): This credit offers up to $2,500 per student per year for the first four years of college. If your parents pay for your tuition, they can claim the credit on their tax return. Even better, up to 40% of this credit is refundable, meaning you could get up to $1,000 back even if you owe no taxes! 
  • Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC): If you’re pursuing education beyond your first four years of college, or taking classes part-time, the LLC offers up to $2,000 per tax return. Unlike the AOTC, it’s non-refundable but it can still reduce your tax bill significantly if you owe. 

If you (or your dependent student) is considering taking a course or additional courses, paying in advance for classes could allow you to claim a larger education credit on your tax return. 

Tip for Parents: If you are covering tuition costs for your child, make sure you’re coordinating with them on who claims the credit. Only one person can claim it per student. So both student and parent could not claim the credit. 

2. Deduct Student Loan Interest 

    If you were required to start paying back your student loans, you might be able to deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest deduction from your taxable income. This deduction is available even if you don’t itemize deductions, which can be a great benefit for recent graduates or students who work and make loan payments. 

    Tip for Students: If your parents help with your student loan payments, they can’t deduct the interest, but you can as long as you’re legally responsible for the loan. This can be a nice win to help lower your taxable income and boost your refund. 

    3. Contribute to a Retirement Saving Account 

    It might seem early to think about retirement, but contributing to a retirement savings account, contributing to a Traditional IRA or a 401(k) can be a smart move for your financial future and your tax refund. When you contribute to a Traditional IRA or a 401(k), those contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, meaning they reduce your taxable income for the year. This could lead to a larger tax refund when you file your taxes.

    Contributions to a retirement account can reduce your taxable income, potentially leading to a larger tax refund when you file your taxes. Not only are you investing in your retirement early, but you’re also potentially lowering your taxable income, which could increase your refund. 

    Tip for Students: If you have earned income from a part-time job or paid internship, consider setting aside a portion of your earnings for a Traditional IRA or, if available, your employer’s 401(k) plan. Even small contributions can add up, and starting now means you’re investing in both your future and your current tax benefits.

    4. File Your Taxes Even If You Earned Little to No Income 

    A recent survey showed that 2 out of every 3 college students think that if they didn’t earn much money, they don’t need to file taxes. However, filing a tax return can still be beneficial because you might be entitled to a refund of federal income taxes that were withheld from your paycheck, even if your total income was low. Did you know that last year the IRS reported an estimate that more than $1 billion in refunds remained unclaimed because people hadn’t filed their 2020 tax returns. People often lose out on their tax refund just because they did not file a federal income tax return. You have a three-year window from the original due date to claim a refund owed to you. 

    So even if you worked a part-time job, an internship, or had a work-study job, chances are your employer withheld federal income taxes from your earnings. Even if your income was below the filing requirement, you could still get that money back if you file a tax return. Additionally, filing can make you eligible for certain credits like Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is designed to benefit low to moderate income individuals, including students. 

    Tip for Students: Check your W-2 (Box 2) from any job you worked–if taxes were withheld, you might be able to claim a refund. Filing is quick and can lead to unexpected extra money in your packet. 

    Tip for Parents: If your child worked and had taxes withheld, make sure they file a return even if they’re claimed as a dependent. They won’t claim themselves as a dependent, but they can still file their own tax return and potentially get a refund for the taxes they overpaid. 

    Filing Taxes as a college student or a parent of a college student might seem overwhelming but it’s worth looking into every available credit and deduction. If you’re not sure how to claim these benefits, you can connect with a TurboTax Expert to ensure you’re maximizing your refund. It’s money back in your pocket – money that could be used to cover tuition, pay down student loans, or save for the future. 

    LIMITED TIME OFFER Switch to a TurboTax Expert and we will beat the price you paid your tax guy last tax season (2023 taxes) by at least 10%. Answer 2 simple questions to lock in your offer today! Get started now. Must sign up by 12/20 and file by 4/1.