What if my Employer paid most but not all of my education? So I still enter it all or just what I contributed?

Q. So I still enter it all or just what I contributed?

A.  You only "claim" what you paid.  The hard part is how to enter it.

Start with the 1098-T. If the employer payment is shown in box 5, as "scholarship", then the difference between box 1 and box 5 is usually what you claim and you don't need to enter any more.

If box 5 is blank, then enter the 1098-T. Later in the interview you will be asked if you had employer assistance. Do not enter more than $5250.*

*By law your employer can only give you $5250 maximum, tax free. If you got more than $5250, the amount above $5250 is usually already included in box 1 of  your w-2.  Since you have essentially paid tax on that part, it  is considered your after tax money and that amount can be used  to claim the tuition credit.

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Alternatively, if box 5 is blank or 0, change the box 1 amount to what you actually paid, out of pocket.  In the 1098-T screen, click on the link "What if this is not what I paid the school" underneath box 1. You will then be able to enter the actual amounts paid. 

You have to enter the whole amount as show on your Form 1098-T and then enter the amount your employer paid later if it isn't already included on your 1098-T box 5.

Please follow these steps:

1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
2. Click on the Search box on the top and type “1098T”
3. Click on “Jump to 1098T”
4. Enter your 1098-T
5. Continue through the questions until "Did Da Receive a Scholarship or Grant in 2019?" screen and answer "Yes"
6. Enter amount under "Employer-Provided Assistance"

If you have already started entering education expenses follow these steps:

1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
2. Click on the Search box on the top and type “1098T”
3. Click on “Jump to 1098T”
4. On the "Your Education Expenses Summary" screen click "edit"
5. Click "Edit" next to "Scholarships/Grants (for all schools)"
6. Answer "yes" to "Did Da Receive a Scholarship or Grant in 2019?" screen 
7. Enter amount under "Employer-Provided Assistance​​​​​​​"