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rivrerat726
Feb 13, 2008, 05:34 PM
I'm trying to fill out my tax return and I have a few questions. This is the first return I am filing on my own so please bear with me....

I am in graduate school, out of state (Indiana). I lived in PA with my parents.
Am I considered a full time resident of PA or a part time resident?

I have two W-2 forms, one from IN and one from PA. Do I need to file both state returns, or just PA?

Finally, I am confused when it comes to student & tuition credits and/or Lifetime learning.....
I did receive a 1098T, with amounts in box 2 and box 5. When I complete the federal return and enter these amounts, it says I am eligible for either credit, both the same amount. The amounts in box 5, I can see is the total amount of scholarships that I received. On one online return site, the screen says that I need to list loans, cash paid, scholarships, etc and all of these need to be equal to box 2. I have more loans than needed, can I just subtract box 5 from 2 and list that as my loan money even though it exceeds that amount?

Thanks in advance for any help. Sorry to sound so lame, but this is the first tax return I am doing

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 29, 2008, 10:49 AM
Due to your student status, you are a full-year resident of PA and a non-resident of IN.

Since you are a graduate student, you do NOT qualify for the Hope Credit.

You DO qualify for either the Lifetime Learning Credit or the education deduction.

You use the difference between what your tuition is (Box #2) and what you got for scholarships and grants (Box #5) to determine how much you get from the credt/deduction.

The maximum deduction is $4,000.

The maximum Lieftime Learning Credit is $2,000, based on 20% of $10,000 in tuition.

rivrerat726
Mar 3, 2008, 02:41 PM
once again, thank you for making my life a little easier...:D