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Student Loan Interest Deduction California

Student loans may be considered "good debt" in financial planning circles but there is nothing good about paying hundreds in interest each year. Luckily, you may be eligible for a tax break if you pay interest on your student loans.

1. Local Companies

2. Student Loan Interest Deduction

3. 2009 Stimulus Plan

4. Featured Local Company

1 . Local Companies

Indy Mac Bank
(818) 240-7870
1475 East Huntington Drive
Glendale, CA

Premier Bank of Glendale (proposed)
(949) 241-1291
589 Americana Way, Unit #305
Glendale, CA

Central Valley Community Bank -- River Park
(559) 447-3350
8375 N. Fresno
Fresno, CA

Westamerica Bank Shaw & First
(559) 243-4370
1172 E Shaw Ave
Fresno, CA

Bank of America Fashion Fair Branch
(559) 445-7350
590 E. Shaw
Fresno, CA

Bank of America Kerman Branch
(559) 846-9333
702 S. Madera Ave.
Kerman, CA

Bank of America River Park Banking Center
(559) 445-7320
7837 N. Blackstone
Fresno, CA

Bank of The Sierra
(559) 248-0112
636 E Shaw Ave
Fresno, CA

Bank of The West First/Herndon
(559) 435-2980
7062 N First St
Fresno, CA

Capital Source Bank
(559) 222-8443
776 E. Shaw Ave. #101
Fresno, CA

2 . Student Loan Interest Deduction

Eligibility
You can deduct a maximum of $2,500 for student loan interest. To be eligible:

• You must be legally responsible for payments on a loan used to finance higher education
expenses.

• Your loan must finance your education, your spouse's education, or your child's
education.

• The qualifying student must have be enrolled at least half-time and working towards a
recognized credential at an eligible institution.

If you are married filing separately, or if someone else claims you as a dependent, you are not eligible for the student loan interest deduction.

Tips for Savvy Taxpayer
It's easy to take this deduction if you’re eligible--and it's easy to overlook in the sea of paperwork tax preparation involves.
• Watch your mail. Your lending institution will send you a Form 1098-E if you
paid $600 or more in interest on a student loan. The amount of interest you paid will
be reported on Form 1098-E, box 1. If you do not receive this form, contact the
lending institution.

• Deduct on Form 1040. You can claim the Student Loan Interest Deduction on
Form 1040 Line 33 or on Form 1040A Line 18.

• Know the limits. The maximum amount of student loan interest you can claim
is $2,500. The deduction is also limited by your total income. IRS Publication 970
includes a worksheet to calculate your deduction.

By following these tips it is easy to claim the student loan interest deduction. Doing so can make paying your taxes a little less painful this year.

Sources:
Internal Revenue Service
Federal Student Aid

3 . 2009 Stimulus Plan

Starting in the 2009 tax year, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), more parents and students will qualify over the next two years for a tax credit, the American Opportunity Credit, to pay for college expenses.

The American Opportunity Credit is not available on the 2008 returns taxpayers are filing during 2009. The new credit modifies the existing Hope Credit for tax years 2009 and 2010, making the Hope Credit available to a broader range of taxpayers, including many with higher incomes and those who owe no tax. It also adds required course materials to the list of qualifying expenses and allows the credit to be claimed for four post-secondary education years instead of two. Many of those eligible will qualify for the maximum annual credit of $2,500 per student.

The full credit is available to individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return. The credit is phased out for taxpayers with incomes above these levels. These income limits are higher than under the existing Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits

Click here to read more from irs.gov

Click here for application form

4 . Featured Local Company

Indy Mac Bank

(818) 240-7870
1475 East Huntington Drive
Glendale, CA

Read more about Student Loan Interest Deduction

- Private and College-Sponsored Loans California

Students who do not qualify for federal financial aid or who need additional assistance, can apply for private loans.

- Federal PLUS Loan California
- Federal Graduate PLUS Loan California
- Colleges For Communications Majors California
- Education Tax Credit/Deduction California
- Securing Funding for an Online Degree California
- Federal Student Aid California
- Tuition and Fees Deduction California
- Federal Stafford Loan California
- Federal Perkins Loan California

Regional Articles

- Tuition and Fees Deduction California

Tuition costs at public universities increased over 6% last year according to the College Board. In addition to rising tuition, your educational expenses might include books, activities fees, lab fees, and miscellaneous charges. Education tax benefits, including the Tuition and Fees Deduction, can help you cope with these climbing education costs.

- Private and College-Sponsored Loans California
- Federal Graduate PLUS Loan California
- Federal Perkins Loan California
- Colleges For Communications Majors California
- Securing Funding for an Online Degree California
- Federal Stafford Loan California
- Federal Student Aid California
- Education Tax Credit/Deduction California
- Federal PLUS Loan California

Related Local Events

Education Committee
Dates: 12/3/2009 - 12/3/2009
Location: Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce
Fairfield, CA
View Details

Business/Education Committee Meeting
Dates: 12/8/2009 - 12/8/2009
Location: Fresno Chamber
Fresno, CA
View Details

Business/Education Committee Meeting
Dates: 11/10/2009 - 11/10/2009
Location: Fresno Chamber
Fresno, CA
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Education Committee
Dates: 11/5/2009 - 11/5/2009
Location: Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce
Fairfield, CA
View Details

Business/Education Committee Meeting
Dates: 10/6/2009 - 10/6/2009
Location: Fresno Chamber
Fresno, CA
View Details

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