Key Takeaways
- Your school mails the 1098-T by January 31 each year if you paid may have access to education expenses and meet IRS reporting thresholds.
- Contact your school's financial aid or bursar office if the form doesn't arrive by early February — they can send a replacement or electronic copy.
- The 1098-T shows expenses paid during the calendar year, not the academic term, so expenses from December may appear on the previous year's form.
- You need the 1098-T to claim education tax credits on your return, though some filers can use their own records if the form is delayed.
- The form reports what your school received, not what you actually paid out of pocket, so compare it to your own records before filing.
Where to Find Your 1098-T
Your school mails the 1098-T to the address on file in their student records system. Check your mailbox and spam folder first — some schools mail it as a paper form, while others send it electronically through a student portal or email. If you moved during or after the tax year, the form may have gone to an old address.
Many schools now post the 1098-T in your online student account or learning management system. Log into your school's website and look for sections labeled "Financial Aid," "Student Account," "Tax Documents," or "1098-T." Some schools require you to opt in to electronic delivery, so check whether you have that setting turned on.
If you attended multiple schools in the same year — for example, you transferred mid-year or took courses at a community college while enrolled at a university — each school will send you a separate 1098-T. You will need all of them when you file your taxes.
What to Do If You Haven't Received It by February
The IRS requires schools to mail the 1098-T by January 31. If you don't have it by early February, contact your school's financial aid office or bursar office by phone or email. Have your student ID number ready. Ask them to confirm they have your correct mailing address and to either reissue the form or send you a copy electronically.
Some schools experience delays during peak tax season. If the office tells you the form is still being processed, ask for a specific date when they expect to mail it and whether they can email you a copy in the meantime. Many schools can provide a preliminary version or a transcript of the expenses they reported.
If your school cannot locate a record of your expenses or says they did not file a 1098-T for you, ask them to explain why. Schools are only required to file if you paid more than a certain threshold in may have access to expenses — that amount varies by year. If your expenses fell below it, you may not receive a form, but you can still use your own records (receipts, tuition bills, payment confirmations) to claim education credits on your return.
Understanding What the 1098-T Reports
The 1098-T shows may have access to education expenses your school received during the calendar year — January 1 through December 31. This is different from the academic year. If you paid tuition in December for a January semester, that expense appears on the previous year's 1098-T, not the current year's.
The form reports what the school actually received from you or on your behalf, not what you paid out of pocket. If your parents paid tuition directly to the school, the school reports that amount. If you took out a student loan and the school applied the funds, the school reports the loan amount. Scholarships and grants that the school applied to your bill reduce the amount reported on the 1098-T.
Box 1 on the form shows may have access to tuition and fees. Box 2 shows scholarships or grants the school applied to your account. Compare these numbers to your own records — your tuition bills, payment receipts, and financial aid award letter. If the amounts don't match what you expected, contact the school's financial aid office to ask why.
Comparing Your 1098-T to Your Own Records
Before you file your taxes, pull together your own documentation: tuition bills, receipts showing what you paid, your financial aid award letter, and any scholarship or grant letters. Compare these to what appears on the 1098-T.
Common discrepancies include scholarships the school applied that you didn't know about, expenses the school didn't count as may have access to (like room and board or transportation), or timing differences if you paid in one year but the school processed it in another. If something looks wrong, contact the financial aid office and ask them to explain the difference or issue a corrected form.
If the school made an error and issues a corrected 1098-T, they will also file a corrected version with the IRS. You may need to file an amended return if the correction changes the amount of education credit you can claim. Keep the corrected form and any correspondence from the school showing what was changed.
Using the 1098-T to Claim Education Credits
The 1098-T is the document you use to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit on your tax return. Your tax software or tax preparer will ask you to enter information from the form — usually the amounts in Box 1 (may have access to tuition and fees) and Box 2 (scholarships and grants).
Not all education expenses on the 1098-T are may be able to access for credits. Room and board, transportation, insurance, and personal expenses don't count, even if the school included them on your bill. Only tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment count as may have access to expenses.
If your school hasn't sent the 1098-T by the time you need to file, you can file using your own records — tuition bills, receipts, and payment confirmations. You don't have to wait for the form. However, if you file before receiving the 1098-T and the amounts differ, you may need to file an amended return later.
If Your School Says They Won't Send a 1098-T
Schools are required to file a 1098-T with the IRS if you paid may have access to education expenses above a certain threshold. That threshold has changed over the years. If your school tells you they won't send a form because your expenses were below the limit, you can still claim education credits using your own documentation.
Gather receipts, tuition bills, and payment records showing what you paid for may have access to expenses. You can use these to complete your tax return even without the 1098-T. Your tax software or preparer can help you calculate which credit you're may have access to to claim.
If you believe your school should have sent a 1098-T and didn't, you can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the issue. The IRS can follow up with the school. This won't speed up getting a form for the current year, but it creates a record if the school is consistently not filing when required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a 1098-T if I paid with a student loan?
Yes. The 1098-T reports may have access to expenses your school received payment for, regardless of whether you paid with your own money, a loan, or a scholarship. The school reports what they received, not the source of the funds. If you took out a loan and the school applied it to your bill, that amount appears on the 1098-T.
What if I paid tuition in December but classes start in January?
The 1098-T is based on the calendar year, not the academic year. If you paid in December, that expense appears on the current year's 1098-T, even if the course begins in January. This timing matters when you're deciding which tax year to claim the credit on.
Do I need the 1098-T if I'm claiming the American Opportunity Credit?
You need documentation of may have access to expenses, but you don't have to wait for the 1098-T to file. If you have tuition bills and receipts showing what you paid, you can file using those records. The 1098-T is the school's official report, but your own documentation is also valid.
What if the 1098-T shows a scholarship I didn't know about?
Contact your school's financial aid office and ask them to explain the scholarship. It may be an institutional grant, a state grant, or a scholarship you received but didn't realize was applied to your bill. Understanding what's on the form helps you calculate the correct education credit and ensures you're not claiming expenses twice.
Can I file my taxes before I receive the 1098-T?
Yes. You can file using your own records of tuition payments and may have access to expenses. If the 1098-T arrives later and shows different amounts, you can file an amended return to adjust your credit. Filing early doesn't require you to wait for the form.