Your school sends the 1098-T to you and the IRS automatically

Your college or university is required by law to send you a Form 1098-T by January 31 each year if you paid may have access to education expenses during that tax year. The school files a copy with the IRS at the same time. You do not need to request it — the school generates and mails it to the address they have on file for you.

The 1098-T shows the may have access to tuition and education expenses your school recorded for you during the calendar year. This includes tuition, fees, and course materials required by your program. Room and board, books you buy yourself, and transportation do not count as may have access to expenses on this form.

If you paid expenses but your school did not send you a 1098-T by early February, contact the school's financial aid or bursar office directly. They can tell you whether the form was mailed, resend it, or explain why one was not issued.

Key Takeaways

  • Your school mails the 1098-T to you automatically by January 31 if you paid may have access to education expenses during the tax year.
  • The form shows tuition and fees only — not room, board, books you purchased separately, or transportation costs.
  • If you do not receive the form by early February, call your school's financial aid or bursar office to request a copy or find out why one was not issued.
  • You need the 1098-T to report education credits on your tax return, but the IRS also receives a copy directly from your school.
  • If you paid expenses out of pocket but your school did not issue a 1098-T, you may still be able to claim those costs — keep your receipts and ask a tax professional.

What to do if your 1098-T does not arrive by February

Start by checking your mail carefully — the form is often sent in a plain envelope and can be straightforward to miss. If you moved during the year, the school may have mailed it to an old address. Check your student portal or call the financial aid office to confirm the address they have on file.

When you contact the school, have your student ID number ready. Ask them to confirm whether a 1098-T was issued in your name and, if so, whether it was mailed or if they can email you a copy. Many schools now offer electronic delivery through their student portal or email.

If the school says they did not issue a form because your expenses fell below a threshold, ask them what that threshold is. Some schools only issue the form if expenses exceeded a certain amount, though this practice varies.

Understanding what expenses appear on the form

The 1098-T reports only may have access to education expenses — the costs your school actually charged you and that you paid during the tax year. This includes tuition, mandatory fees, and course materials the school requires you to purchase through them.

Expenses that do not appear on the 1098-T include room and board (even if billed by the school), books and supplies you bought yourself, transportation, insurance, and personal expenses. If you paid for required course materials directly to the school as part of your bill, they should be included. If you bought them elsewhere, they will not show up on the form.

The form also does not include expenses paid with scholarships, grants, or student loans. Only the portion you paid out of pocket with your own money or parent contributions counts as a may have access to expense on the 1098-T.

How to use the 1098-T on your tax return

You report the information from your 1098-T when you file your federal income tax return. The form itself does not go to the IRS — you use the numbers on it to fill out the education credit section of your return or your tax software.

The two main education credits are the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. Which one you can claim depends on your income, whether you are a dependent, and how many years you have been in school. Your tax software or a tax professional can help you determine which credit applies to your situation.

Keep your 1098-T with your tax records for at least three years in case the IRS asks questions about your return. You should also keep receipts for any may have access to expenses you paid that year, even if they do not appear on the form.

What to do if you paid expenses but received no 1098-T

If you paid may have access to education expenses out of pocket but your school did not send you a 1098-T, gather documentation of what you paid: receipts, tuition bills, fee statements, or bank records showing the payments. Contact your school's financial aid office and ask them to review your account.

Sometimes expenses are not recorded correctly in the school's system, or a form is not issued because of a data entry error. The school can issue a corrected or late 1098-T if they find a mistake. If the school confirms they will not issue a form, ask them in writing why — this documentation helps if you need to explain the situation to the IRS later.

You may still be able to claim education credits even without a 1098-T if you have proof of the expenses. A tax professional can advise you on how to report these costs and whether you meet the requirements for the credits you want to claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to send my 1098-T to the IRS?

No. Your school files a copy with the IRS directly. You keep your copy for your records and use the information on it to fill out your tax return, but you do not mail the form to the IRS.

What if I received a 1098-T but did not actually pay those expenses?

Contact your school when ready. The form may list expenses paid by a scholarship, grant, or parent that should not be counted as your out-of-pocket cost. The school can issue a corrected form if there is an error in what they reported.

Can I claim education expenses if my school did not issue a 1098-T?

You may be able to, depending on the type of expense and your situation. Keep receipts and documentation of what you paid. A tax professional can review your records and advise whether you can claim the costs without the form.

What if I am a dependent on my parents' tax return?

Your parents may be able to claim the education credit using your 1098-T information, depending on the credit and your family's income. You and your parents should discuss who will claim the credit, as only one person can claim it per student per year.

Is the 1098-T the same as a 1098 form?

No. The 1098-T is for education expenses and credits. A 1098 (without the T) is for mortgage interest. Make sure you are looking at the correct form — the 1098-T will clearly say "may have access to Tuition and Related Education Expenses" at the top.