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March 17, 2020
Question

1098-T and non-accredited school

  • March 17, 2020
  • 1 reply
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So -  I have been unable to find a specific answer to this on the forum.  My daughter goes to University of Michigan (an accredited school) and attended a study abroad program through that college which was apparently Non-accredited.  Here is what I cannot figure out:  University of MI sent her a 1098 T showing roughly $40k in grants and scholarships for the entire year (this is normal for her).  However, the amount of qualified payment to MI is only $16k instead of the usual $32k, because she only did one semester at the school, while the other was in Spain.  The other $16k that normally would have gone to MI was used to pay for the non-accredited school in Spain.  It is my understanding that it does not appear I can claim her Spain tuition on my taxes since the school is non-accredited.  However, Turbotax also told me that the roughly $16K dollars that was not used at MI would need to be claimed as income - possibly on my daughters return.  Try as I might, I can not find any info on how to either mitigate what looks to be thousands in taxes due, or in the worst case scenario - where to claim that money as untaxed income on either my, or my daughters taxes.  Its not like there is a 1099 for the loan.  I'm trying to figure out the correct way to proceed or document the money..?

    1 reply

    March 17, 2020

    If Box 5 exceeds Box 1,  the 1098T goes on your daughter's tax return.  It is income to her, hopefully at a much low income rate than your are in.  

     

    1415manAuthor
    March 17, 2020

    ok great - thanks for the info.  Such a simple answer, don't know why I could not find that anywhere else.  Maybe it was just me.

    March 17, 2020

    the whole area of 1098T and 1099Q is a confusing and complicated topic; welcome to the club.