Publication 17
taxmap/pub17/p17-179.htm#en_us_publink1000236001If, after you file your 2011 tax return, you or someone else receives tax-free educational assistance for, or a refund of, an expense you used to figure an education credit on that return, you may have to repay all or part of the credit. You must refigure your education credit(s) for 2011 as if the assistance or refund was received in 2011. Next you must refigure your tax liability using the revised education credit. The increased tax liability is the amount you must repay. Add the repayment (recapture) to your tax liability for the year in which you receive the assistance or refund. See the instructions for your tax return for that year to find out how to report the recapture amount. Your original 2011 tax return does not change.