With a 1098-T, the business — your college — reports how much qualified tuition and expenses you (or your parents) paid it during the tax year. The IRS uses these forms to match data from information returns to income, deductions and credits reported on individual income tax returns.
- Form 1098-T is an information return. The IRS requires businesses that make “reportable transactions” to file information returns to the IRS and provide a copy to the other party involved in the transaction.
How does a 1098-T affect my taxes?
A form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, is used to help figure education credits (and potentially, the tuition and fees deduction) for qualified tuition and related expenses paid during the tax year. The tuition and fees deduction can reduce the amount of your income subject to tax by up to $4,000.
Do I have to put my 1098-T on my tax return?
No, you don’t have to report your 1098-T, not unless you want to claim an education credit. However if your grant/scholarship amount (box 5) is more than your tuition (box 1/box 2) you may want to report it because excess scholarship money may be treated as taxable income on your return.
Where do I report 1098-T on my tax return?
Box 1 reports all payments you’ve made to the school for qualified educational expenses. Box 2 reports the qualified education expenses that the school bills you for, which may not be the same total as box 1. Box 5 includes the scholarships and grants the school gave you.
Why does my 1098-T lower my refund?
Two possibilities: Grants and /or scholarships are taxable income to the extent that they exceed qualified educational expenses to include tuition, fees, books, and course related materials. So, taxable income may reduce your refund.
Who is eligible for 1098-T?
College students or their parents who paid qualified tuition and college expenses during the tax year will need Form 1098-T from their school if they want to claim certain education credits.
Why is a $1000 tax credit preferable to a $1000 tax deduction?
Tax credits directly reduce the amount of tax you owe, giving you a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax liability. A tax credit valued at $1,000, for instance, lowers your tax bill by the corresponding $1,000. Tax deductions, on the other hand, reduce how much of your income is subject to taxes.
Can I deduct my child’s 1098-T?
Do both me and my child enter information from 1098-T (scholarship/college expenses)? If they file taxes too? Yes, both of you would enter the information but only you can claim the education deduction if you claim them as dependent.
Who enters 1098-T parent or student?
If the parent is claiming the student as a dependent on their (the parents) income tax return, then the parent enters the 1098-T Tuition form on their (the parents) income tax return.
Does 1098-T include room and board?
No, room and board is not reported on 1098-T and is not an eligible education expense for the education credits; HOWEVER, if you received certain unrestricted tax-free assistance, such as a scholarship or distributions from a college savings account, you could apply those tax-free funds to room and board, therefor