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March 12, 2020
Question

No 1098-T

  • March 12, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views

We don't receive a 1098-T from my son's college.  When going thru Turbo Tax, it asked if we had educational expenses without a 1098 & said that we could still deduct withou it, so I clicked YES, but all other questions seemed to indicate that a 1098 was necessary.  If I have proof of tuition paid to a school, but have no 1098 form issued by the school, am I still "legal" filling out that portion of Turbo Tax?

    2 replies

    March 12, 2020

    A 1098-T is required for the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. You may be able to claim a Tuition and Fees deduction if you are eligible for that. 

     

    Have you asked his school why they don't issue a 1098-T form? Virtually all accredited colleges and universities do. If you do claim a credit for tuition and did not receive a 1098-T form, the burden is on you to find out if the school an accredited institution.

     

    Click here to check. 

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    March 13, 2020

    it is possible that the school doesn't issue the 1098-T because they are not accredited which means you cannot take AOTC.  I've seen it happen 

    Hal_Al
    Employee
    March 13, 2020

    The 1098-T is frequently not mailed out by the school, but is available at the student's online account.

     

    After telling TT that you don't have a 1098-T, you'll be asked if your school qualifies for an exception (a common one is that scholarships exceed tuition).