Who of the following is eligible to claim the student loan interest deduction based on their filing status?

The eligibility to claim the student loan interest deduction hinges on a few key criteria, including the maturity of the loan, filing status, and whether the taxpayer is claimed as a dependent by someone else.

In the case of Geraldine, who files jointly with her husband and claims their son as a dependent, she meets the necessary requirements. The student loan interest deduction is available to taxpayers who are legally obligated to pay interest on a qualified student loan. Since Geraldine is filing jointly, she has the opportunity to deduct up to $2,500 of qualified student loan interest, provided she meets the income limitations.

Additionally, when a taxpayer files jointly, both partners can combine their incomes, which often allows for a greater phase-out threshold for the deduction. It's also important to note that because Geraldine is not a dependent on someone else's return, she has the independence needed to claim the deduction.

The other options have inherent limitations that prevent those individuals from claiming the deduction. For example, if someone is claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return, they cannot take the deduction themselves. Therefore, Geraldine's situation aligns perfectly with the eligibility criteria for the student loan interest deduction, making her the correct answer.