Contact the University of Miami Financial Aid Office directly

University of Miami sends 1098-T forms through the mail in January each year, but you do not have to wait. Call the Financial Aid Office at 305-284-2270 or visit the office in person at the Astor Building on the Coral Gables campus. They can print a copy for you on the spot or email it the same day.

Have your student ID number ready when you call. If you are calling on behalf of a student who is not you, bring a signed authorization letter or have the student call with you on a three-way line — the university will not release tax documents to a parent or spouse without written permission from the student.

If you are no longer enrolled, the university keeps records for seven years. Call the same number and explain you are a former student requesting a 1098-T from a specific tax year.

Key Takeaways

  • University of Miami mails 1098-T forms in January, but you can request a copy by phone or in person at the Financial Aid Office.
  • The Financial Aid Office phone number is 305-284-2270, and they can often print or email your form the same day you call.
  • You will need your student ID number, and the university requires written permission if someone other than the student is requesting the form.
  • The 1098-T shows may have access to education expenses paid during the tax year and is used to claim education tax credits on your federal return.

What the 1098-T includes and why you need it

The 1098-T reports may have access to tuition and education expenses you paid to University of Miami during the tax year. Box 1 shows may have access to tuition and fees; Box 2 shows scholarships or grants the university paid out. The form covers only the calendar year — January through December — so if you paid tuition in December for a spring semester, that payment appears on the form for the year you paid it, not the year you took the class.

You need this form to claim either the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit on your federal tax return. These credits reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar, so they are worth more than a deduction. You cannot claim a credit without the 1098-T, and the IRS matches the form the university sends them against the one you file.

Checking your student account portal first

Log into your University of Miami student portal and look for a section called "Tax Documents" or "1098-T." Some universities post the form online in December before mailing it. If it is there, you can read and print it when ready without calling.

The exact location varies depending on which portal version your account uses. If you cannot find it, the Financial Aid Office can tell you the direct link or confirm whether the form has been posted yet.

What to do if you do not receive your form by early February

The IRS requires universities to mail 1098-T forms by January 31. If you have not received yours by February 10, contact the Financial Aid Office and ask them to check whether the form was mailed to the correct address on file. If your mailing address changed during the year, the form may have gone to an old address.

Request that they mail a replacement copy or email it to you. If the form was never generated — which can happen if there was a registration or payment issue — the Financial Aid Office will investigate and either issue the form or provide a written explanation of why you do not have one. Keep this explanation if you need to file your tax return without the form.

Reporting education expenses if you do not have a 1098-T

If University of Miami did not issue you a 1098-T but you paid may have access to expenses, you can still claim a credit. You will need to report the expenses yourself on your tax return using receipts, tuition bills, or bank statements as proof. The IRS does not require you to attach these documents, but you must keep them in case of an audit.

may have access to expenses include tuition, fees, and course materials required by the university. They do not include room and board, transportation, or personal expenses. If you used a 529 plan, education savings account, or student loan to pay, the expenses still count — the source of the money does not matter.

Understanding the boxes on your 1098-T

Box 1 (may have access to tuition and educational expenses) shows what you or your family paid directly to the university for tuition and fees. This is the main number used to calculate your tax credit.

Box 2 (Scholarships or grants) shows money the university paid out to you that was not taxable income. If you received a scholarship, it appears here. This amount reduces the expenses in Box 1 for credit purposes — you cannot claim a credit on money someone else paid.

Box 5 (Adjusted may have access to education expenses) is the number after scholarships are subtracted. This is the figure you use on your tax return. If Box 5 is zero or blank, you have no expenses to claim a credit on for that year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my parent or spouse get my 1098-T for me?

No, not without your written permission. The university treats tax documents as private student records under FERPA. You can call the Financial Aid Office yourself, or you can email them a signed letter authorizing someone else to pick it up or have it sent to them.

What if I paid tuition but University of Miami did not send me a 1098-T?

Call the Financial Aid Office and ask them to verify your payment was recorded. Sometimes payments are applied to a different term or account and do not generate a form. They can tell you whether a form was issued and why, or issue a corrected one if there was an error.

Do I need the 1098-T if I am claiming my child as a dependent?

Yes, but the student's name and Social Security number go on the form, not the parent's. The parent claims the credit on their return, but the form is issued in the student's name. You will need the student's 1098-T to complete your tax return.

Can I use last year's 1098-T if I have not received this year's yet?

No. Each 1098-T covers only the calendar year printed on it. You must file your 2024 return using your 2024 1098-T. If you have not received it by the time you file, contact the university first, or file your return reporting the expenses yourself and keep your receipts.

What if the amount on my 1098-T looks wrong?

Contact the Financial Aid Office with the specific amount you believe is incorrect and bring proof — a tuition bill, receipt, or bank statement. They will review the payment records and issue a corrected form (called an amended 1098-T) if an error is found. This corrected form is what you file with the IRS.