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 Lifetime Learning Credit offers up to $2,000 for qualified education expenses paid for all eligible students per return.
- Yes, a 1098-T can increase your refund. Depending on your tax obligations and other credits or deductions you take, you may qualify for a refund, where you’ll get money back instead of owing money to the IRS. You can use IRS Form 8863 to claim education credits for your federal income tax return.
Does a 1098-T increase refund?
Your 1098-T may qualify you for education-related tax benefits like the American Opportunity Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, or the Tuition and Fees Deduction. If the credit amount exceeds the amount of tax you owe, you can receive up to $1,000 of the credit as a refund.
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.
What happens if I don’t put my 1098-T on my taxes?
If you forgot to enter your 1098-T and are not going to claim the education credit AND did not have taxable scholarship income (scholarships that exceeded the tuition paid) you do not have to amend your tax return. Keep a copy of it with your tax records for at least three years.
Can you get in trouble for not filing 1098-T?
The penalties are: $30 per form if you correctly file within 30 days, maximum penalty $250,000 per year ($75,000 for small businesses). $100 per form if you file after August 1 or do not file Form 1098-T, maximum penalty $1,500,000 per year ($500,000 for small businesses).
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.
What happens if scholarships exceed tuition on 1098-T?
If the amount in Box 5 (your scholarships) is GREATER THAN the amount in Box 1 (or Box 2, whichever is filled in on your 1098-T), then you cannot use any expenses to reduce your tax bill. You must report the excess as taxable income on your federal return.
Do parents or students file 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.
Can you write off college tuition on taxes?
The tuition and fees deduction allows you to write off up to $4,000 of qualified education expenses each year. Tuition you pay always counts as a qualified expense as long as you’re paying it — if it’s paid by a tax-free scholarship, grant or fellowship, those costs don’t qualify for the tax deduction.
What is the purpose of a 1098-T form?
The 1098T form provides information that will assist in determining eligibility for a tax credit when preparing a federal tax return. Receiving the 1098T form does not mean you necessarily qualify for a tax credit.
Do you get a 1098-T if you have financial aid?
Yes and no. There is no IRS requirement that you must claim an education credit or tuition and fees deduction. Claiming education tax benefits is a voluntary choice for those who qualify.
Is a 1098-T taxable income?
The 1098-T form is provided to help students and parents determine eligibility for an American Opportunity Tax Credit or a Lifetime Learning Credit, and it should not be used to calculate taxable income.
What happens if my school doesn’t give me a 1098-T form?
You can still claim an education credit if your school that closed did not provide you a Form 1098-T if: The student and/or the person able to claim the student as a dependent meets all other eligibility requirements to claim the credit. The student can show he or she was enrolled at an eligible educational institution.