Your 1098-T comes from your school, not the IRS
The Form 1098-T is sent by your school or university, not by the IRS. Your institution is required to mail it to you by January 31 of the year after you paid may have access to education expenses. If you paid tuition, fees, or other may be able to access costs during 2024, your school will send the 1098-T in January 2025.
The form shows how much you paid in may have access to education expenses during that tax year. Your school has your address on file from enrollment, so the form should arrive at the address they have for you. If you've moved since you enrolled or last updated your information, the form may go to an old address.
You can also request a copy directly from your school's financial aid office or registrar. Most schools allow you to view and read your 1098-T through their student portal or by calling the financial aid office with your student ID number.
Key Takeaways
- Your school mails the 1098-T by January 31 each year; it does not come from the IRS.
- Check the address your school has on file, because the form goes to the address listed in your enrollment records.
- You can read or request a copy from your school's financial aid office, registrar, or student portal.
- If you did not receive a 1098-T by early February, contact your school directly rather than waiting.
- Some students may not receive a 1098-T even if they paid education expenses, depending on the type of expenses and your school's reporting rules.
Check your school's student portal first
Most colleges and universities now post the 1098-T in your student account before mailing the paper copy. Log into your school's portal using your student ID and password. Look for a section labeled "Financial Documents," "Tax Forms," "1098-T," or "Student Records."
The portal usually lets you view the form on screen and read it as a PDF. This is often faster than waiting for mail, and you can print it when ready if you need it. If your school posts it online, they typically do so in late January, a few days before the mailed copy arrives.
If you cannot find the form in your portal or do not remember your login, call your school's financial aid office. They can tell you whether the form has been generated and either email it to you or walk you through accessing it online.
Contact your school's financial aid office if you have not received it
If you have not received your 1098-T by early February, reach out to your school directly. Have your student ID number ready. The financial aid office can confirm whether a form was issued in your name and resend it if needed.
When you call or email, provide the tax year you are asking about (for example, "I need my 2024 1098-T") and confirm the address on file. If your address has changed, update it with the registrar or financial aid office so they send the replacement to the correct location.
Some schools also allow you to request a duplicate form through their website. Look for a "Request Documents" or "Reorder Forms" option in the student portal, or ask the financial aid office whether they can email a copy instead of mailing it.
Verify the form shows the correct information
Once you have your 1098-T, check that your name, address, and student ID number match your records. The form should also list the may have access to education expenses your school reported for that tax year.
If the amount shown is wrong or incomplete, contact your school's financial aid office. They may have recorded only certain types of expenses, or there may be a data entry error. Ask them to explain which expenses are included and whether any should be added.
Keep your 1098-T with your tax records even if you do not use it to claim an education credit. The IRS may request it as proof of your education expenses if your return is reviewed.
What to do if your school did not send a 1098-T
Not all students receive a 1098-T, even if they paid education expenses. Schools are only required to issue the form if you paid may have access to education expenses — tuition, fees, and course materials required for enrollment. Room and board, transportation, and personal expenses do not count, and schools do not report them on the 1098-T.
If you paid may have access to expenses but did not receive a form, ask your school why. They may not have processed your payment in time for the January 31 important date, or there may be a hold on your account. The financial aid office can explain what happened and whether they will issue a corrected form.
You can still claim an education credit based on your own records of what you paid, even without a 1098-T. Keep receipts, tuition bills, and payment confirmations to support your claim if the IRS asks about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my 1098-T if I graduated or left school?
Yes. Schools keep records for former students and can issue copies of old 1098-T forms. Contact the registrar or financial aid office with your student ID or full name and the tax year you need. They may charge a small fee for duplicate documents, but many schools provide one free copy.
What if I paid for education but my school says I do not have a 1098-T?
Ask your school which expenses they reported and which they did not. Some schools report only tuition and fees, not books or supplies. If you paid may have access to expenses that were not reported, ask whether the school will issue a corrected form or explain why those expenses were excluded.
Do I need the 1098-T to claim an education credit?
No. You can claim an education credit based on your own records of what you paid, even without the form. However, keep the 1098-T and your receipts together in case the IRS requests proof of your expenses during a review of your return.
My school sent the 1098-T to the wrong address. What do I do?
Contact your school's registrar or financial aid office and ask them to update your address on file. Request that they remail the form or email a copy to your correct address. If the form was already mailed, it may arrive at the old address; ask the current resident to forward it, or request a duplicate from your school.