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Student Loan Interest Deduction Florida

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

Bank Atlantic
(727) 530-4782
2650 Roosevelt Blvd.
Clearwater, FL

BB&T
(727) 532-9610
5801 Ulmerton Rd
Clearwater, FL

Encore Bank
2973WestBayDr
2973 West Bay Dr
Clearwater, FL

Northern Trust
(727) 587-1100
525 Indian Rocks Road
Clearwater, FL

Old Harbor Bank
(727) 835-2265
715 Indian Rocks Rd. N
Clearwater, FL

Regions Bank
(727) 524-7898
13501 Icot Blvd Suite 106
Clearwater, FL

SunTrust Bank of Tampa Bay
(727) 588-7500
380 N Indian Rocks Rd
Clearwater, FL

Wachovia Bank
(813) 538-4545
2515 W. Bay
Clearwater, FL

New England Financial
(727) 581-3100
710 First Ave. SW
Clearwater, FL

EZ Money Loan Services
904-779-1785
5553 Beach Blvd
Jacksonville, FL

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

Bank Atlantic

(727) 530-4782
2650 Roosevelt Blvd.
Clearwater, FL

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