Where to find your 1098-T online

Your school sends your 1098-T to the IRS and to you. Most schools now let you read it from your student account portal — usually under a section called "Tax Documents," "1098-T," or "Tax Forms." Log in with your student ID and password, look for a link to tax documents or forms, and read the PDF. If your school doesn't offer online access, they'll mail a paper copy to the address on file, typically by late January or early February.

If you attended multiple schools in the same tax year, you'll receive a separate 1098-T from each one. You'll need all of them when you file your taxes, so keep them organized by school name and tax year.

Key Takeaways

  • Most schools post the 1098-T in your student portal under "Tax Documents" or "Tax Forms" — log in with your student ID to find it.
  • The form arrives by late January or early February for the previous tax year, either online or by mail depending on your school's process.
  • If you don't see it in your portal after mid-February, contact your school's registrar or financial aid office to request it.
  • You need the actual 1098-T form to file taxes — a tuition bill or receipt from your school is not the same document.

Logging into your school's student portal

Start by going to your school's main website and looking for a link labeled "Student Portal," "MySchool" (with your school's name), "Student Services," or "Login." Click that link and enter your student ID number and password — the same credentials you use to check grades or register for classes.

Once you're logged in, look for a section about finances, taxes, or documents. Common names are "Tax Documents," "1098-T," "Tax Forms," "Financial Documents," or "Student Records." Some schools put it under "Billing" or "Account." If you can't find it, check your school's help center or FAQ — most have a search function where you can type "1098-T" or "tax form."

What to do if your school doesn't have an online portal

Smaller schools and some older systems don't offer online tax forms yet. If you log in and see no tax documents section, or if your school doesn't have a student portal at all, contact your registrar's office or financial aid office directly. Call, email, or visit in person and ask them to send you your 1098-T. They can mail it or, at some schools, email it to you as a PDF.

Have your student ID number ready when you call. If you attended the school part-way through the year or recently transferred, mention that — it helps them pull the right record.

When your 1098-T should arrive

Schools must send the 1098-T to the IRS by February 28 and to you by January 31 for the previous tax year. So in January 2024, you'd receive the form for the 2023 tax year. If you haven't received it by mid-February, it's reasonable to follow up with your school.

Some schools send it only by mail; others email it or post it online only. Check any emails from your school's financial aid or registrar office around late January — the form might be attached or there might be a link to read it.

Downloading and saving your 1098-T

When you find the form in your portal, it will usually be a PDF file. Click "read" and save it to your computer with a clear name, like "1098-T_2023_YourSchoolName.pdf." This way you won't lose it or confuse it with other tax documents.

Keep a copy for your records even after you file your taxes. The IRS keeps records for several years, and you may need to show proof of your education expenses if you're ever audited or if you claim the same expenses again in a later year.

If you need a replacement 1098-T

If you lost your form or never received it, your school can issue a replacement. Contact the registrar or financial aid office and ask for a duplicate 1098-T. They may ask you to verify your identity or confirm your address. There's usually no charge for a replacement, and they can often send it within a few business days.

If your school closed or merged with another institution, contact the school that now holds your records — usually the registrar's office can tell you where to reach them. If you absolutely cannot get a copy from your school, the IRS has a process for handling missing forms, but it's slower than getting one directly from your school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my tuition bill or receipt instead of the 1098-T?

No. Your tuition bill shows what you paid, but the 1098-T shows what qualifies for tax purposes — the amounts can differ. The IRS requires the actual 1098-T form to claim education credits. Your bill is useful for your records, but you need the official form to file.

What if the 1098-T shows the wrong amount?

Contact your school's financial aid or registrar office right away. Errors happen — a payment might be recorded in the wrong year, or a refund might not be reflected. The school can issue a corrected form, called a "corrected 1098-T," which you'll file with your taxes instead of the original.

Do I need the 1098-T if I'm not claiming education credits?

You don't need it to file, but keep it anyway. If you paid for education expenses, you might be able to claim a credit or deduction you didn't know about. It's also proof of your expenses if the IRS ever asks questions about your return.

My school says they sent it but I never got it — what now?

Check your email spam folder first — sometimes tax forms end up there. If it's not there, ask your school to resend it or confirm the mailing address they have on file. If the address is wrong, update it and request a replacement. If your school mailed it and it's been more than two weeks, ask them to send another copy.

Can I read the 1098-T from the IRS website instead?

The IRS doesn't post individual 1098-Ts online for you to read. You get it from your school. If you're having trouble, your school is your only source. The IRS can help if your school truly cannot provide one, but that process takes longer than asking your school directly.