Insights
Are scholarships tax-free or taxable?
COVID-19 is changing the landscape for many schools this fall. But many children and young adults are going back, even if it’s just for online learning, and some parents will be facing tuition bills. If your child has been awarded a scholarship, that’s cause for celebration! But be aware that there may be tax implications.
Scholarships (and fellowships) are generally tax-free for students at elementary, middle and high schools, as well as those attending college, graduate school or accredited vocational schools. It doesn’t matter if the scholarship makes a direct payment to the individual or reduces tuition.
Tuition and related expenses
However, for a scholarship to be tax-free, certain conditions must be satisfied. A scholarship is tax-free only to the extent it’s used to pay for:
- Tuition and fees required to attend the school and
- Fees, books, supplies and equipment required of all students in a particular course.
For example, if a computer is recommended but not required, buying one wouldn’t qualify. Other expenses that don’t qualify include the cost of room and board, travel, research and clerical help.
To the extent a scholarship award isn’t used for qualifying items, it’s taxable. The recipient is responsible for establishing how much of an award is used for tuition and eligible expenses. Maintain records (such as copies of bills, receipts and cancelled checks) that reflect the use of the scholarship money.
Award can’t be payment for services
Subject to limited exceptions, a scholarship isn’t tax-free if the payments are linked to services that your child performs as a condition for receiving the award, even if the services are required of all degree candidates. Therefore, a stipend your child receives for required teaching, research or other services is taxable, even if the child uses the money for tuition or related expenses.
What if you, or a family member, is an employee of an education institution that provides reduced or free tuition? A reduction in tuition provided to you, your spouse or your dependents by the school at which you work isn’t included in your income and isn’t subject to tax.
Returns and recordkeeping
If a scholarship is tax-free and your child has no other income, the award doesn’t have to be reported on a tax return. However, any portion of an award that’s taxable as payment for services is treated as wages. Estimated tax payments may have to be made if the payor doesn’t withhold enough tax. Your child should receive a Form W-2 showing the amount of these “wages” and the amount of tax withheld, and any portion of the award that’s taxable must be reported, even if no Form W-2 is received.
These are just the basic rules. Other rules and limitations may apply. For example, if your child’s scholarship is taxable, it may limit other higher education tax benefits to which you or your child are entitled. As we approach the new school year, best wishes for your child’s success in school. And please contact us if you wish to discuss these or other tax matters further.
© 2020
Our Latest Insights
Please SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter and you’ll receive practical, actionable updates on a regular basis.
Recent Posts
- 2022 Q3 tax calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and other employers
- Checking in on your accounts payable processes
- Your estate plan: Don’t forget about income tax planning
- Is your corporation eligible for the dividends-received deduction?
- Boeckermann Grafstrom & Mayer Relocating and Expanding Headquarters
Categories
- Articles
- Audits, Reviews and Compilations
- Blog
- Business
- Business Tax Services
- Business Taxes
- Business Valuation Services
- Careers
- Estate and Trust Services
- Fall 2019
- Fall 2020
- Fall 2021
- Family Office Services
- Financial
- Individual Tax Services
- Merger and Acquisition Services
- News
- Newsletter
- Outsourced Accounting Services
- Spring 2019
- Spring 2020
- Spring 2021
- Spring 2022
- State and Local Tax Services
- Summer 2019
- Summer 2020
- Summer 2021
- Taxes
- Transportation and Logistics
- Winter 2020
- Winter 2021
- Winter 2022
Archives
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 844-2500
512 Main Street South
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(952) 844-2518
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 325-5045
1714 Duchess Drive
Longmont, CO 80501
(303) 651-0304