Universities wage last-minute fight against grad student tax hike

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

University leaders and education groups are urging Congress to reconsider provisions in the House GOP tax bill that would mean huge tax hikes for graduate students — and that they warn could cripple graduate education in America.

Under the House plan, H.R. 1 (115), tuition discounts that schools offer to graduate students would be taxed as income, on top of the stipends the students make working as teaching or research assistants. At some schools — where the tuition breaks run upwards of $40,000 — that could more than triple students' taxable income, causing some to spend huge portions of their stipends on massive tax bills. The plan would also eliminate a lifetime learning credit worth about $2,000 that many grad students depend upon.

The Senate version does not include the provision.

The issue has emerged as a priority for many in higher education — especially at major research universities that rely on graduate students. University leaders, lobbying groups and unions are making a final push to convince the House to ditch the provision, but are seeing little traction.

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/15/universities-wage-last-minute-fight-against-grad-student-tax-hike-in-house-gop-plan-244951

[mopinko]

1. just ridiculous that they are taxing money that they dont even get paid.

i doubt it will even do a lot for the bottom line, as most grad students are in pretty low income brackets. but jebus.
stupid. just stupid.