TRA 97 Higher Education Tax Credits

DISCLAIMER: This report of educational expense and payment information is for students and parents. This is not legal or tax advice. Taxpayers are directed to publications from the Internal Revenue Service or a tax professional about personal income tax situations. Taxpayers are requested to independently verify all figures from their records.

THE TAXPAYER RELIEF ACT OF 1997 is explained in IRS Publication 970 and IRS Notice 97-60. It allows tax benefits for higher education, including tuition tax credits, individual retirement account options, deduction for student loan interest, and others. Non-resident aliens should consult U.S. tax advisor.

Florida State University provides this information to students as required by the Internal Revenue Service. Reports include student data to assist in filing of income tax credits for payments credited to a student's account. Reports are not required for students with non-credit courses. Reports are mailed by January 31.

For additional information contact:

Florida State University
TRA97 Office
A2200 University Center
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2390

Or by telephone at (850) 645-1098.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS who claim a dependent student may obtain the report from the student.

Student Records and Privacy
Pursuant to Public Law 93-380, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students and their parents are advised of certain practices and procedures at Florida State University which relate to student records.

Once students reach the age of 18 or are enrolled in a postsecondary program, parents no longer have any rights to student information under this act unless students give written consent to release the information to their parents or the parents provide evidence that students are dependents of the parents as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. A copy of the most recent tax return is required to be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Services each year. Or the student may submit the Release of Financial Records form to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Here is the cite from Florida Statutes:

The 2001 Florida Statutes Title XVI, Chapter 228, Public Education: General Provisions
228.093 Pupil and student records and reports; rights of parents, guardians, pupils, and students; notification; penalty.

Students may download their Tuition Payments Statement (Form 1098-T) from the FSU Personalized Web Services web site.