The Office of Graduate Studies is now sending a listing of the Support GA tuition benefits paid each semester on their behalf to the Payroll/Business Office. The Spring 2022 portion will be added to the taxable income on the April 29th paycheck. This will increase the tax liability and possibly the federal income tax deduction. This amount does not increase your net pay. If you have any questions feel free to contact Dustin Agee in Payroll at 931-372-3041.
Here is an explanation of how the IRS treats assistantships:
Tuition benefits offered to graduate assistants are generally excluded from taxable income under section 117(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). However, section 117(d) only excludes from taxable income tuition benefits for graduate students who are engaged in teaching activities or research activities at the University. Graduate assistants not engaged in such teaching or research activities at the University cannot be excluded from taxable income under section 117(d). These assistantships do not qualify for the $5,250 exclusion.