Your school sends Form 1098-T to you and the IRS, usually by January 31

The Form 1098-T comes from your college, university, or other may be able to access educational institution. The school's financial aid or accounting office prepares and mails it to you after the tax year ends. You should receive it by January 31 of the following year — the same important date schools use to send it to the IRS.

If you paid may have access to education expenses in 2024, your school will report them on the 1098-T they send you in January 2025. The form shows the amount of tuition, fees, and other may have access to costs the school received from you or on your behalf during that calendar year.

You do not request or explore for this form. The school generates it automatically if you meet the basic requirement: you were enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program and paid may have access to education expenses.

Key Takeaways

  • Your school mails Form 1098-T to your address on file by January 31 each year, reporting may have access to education expenses from the previous calendar year.
  • If you do not receive the form by early February, contact your school's financial aid or student accounts office to request a copy or replacement.
  • The form shows only what your school received as payment; it does not include expenses you paid to other vendors or out-of-pocket costs your school did not process.
  • You need the 1098-T to claim education tax credits on your federal return, but you may still be able to claim credits even if your school did not send one.

What to do if your school has not sent the form by February

Contact your school's financial aid office or student accounts department directly. Have your student ID number ready. Ask them to verify that they have your correct mailing address on file and to send you a copy of the 1098-T or a duplicate if the original was lost.

Some schools allow you to view and print your 1098-T through their student portal or online account system before the physical copy arrives in the mail. Log into your school's website and look for sections labeled "tax forms," "1098-T," "student account," or "financial aid documents." This can save time if you need the information before the paper form reaches you.

If your school says they did not issue a 1098-T because you do not meet their criteria, ask them to explain which requirement was not met. Schools sometimes make errors in determining who qualifies, and you may need to provide additional documentation of your enrollment status or payment records.

Why your 1098-T might show different amounts than you paid

The 1098-T reports only the may have access to education expenses your school received as payment during the tax year. This means the form reflects what the institution processed, not necessarily what you personally paid out of pocket.

If you received a scholarship, grant, or student loan, your school may have applied that money to your bill first. The 1098-T then shows only the remaining balance you or your family paid directly. Scholarships and grants that cover may have access to expenses reduce the amount reported on the form.

Expenses paid to vendors outside the school — such as textbooks bought from a bookstore not owned by the college, computers purchased elsewhere, or room and board paid to a landlord — do not appear on the 1098-T. Only expenses billed and paid through the school show up on the form.

How to use the 1098-T when filing your tax return

You report the information from Form 1098-T on your federal tax return to claim education tax credits. The two main credits are the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. You cannot claim both credits for the same student in the same year, so you will need to calculate which one gives you the larger benefit.

Attach Copy B of the 1098-T to your return if you are filing on paper. If you file electronically, your tax software will ask you to enter the amounts from the form. You will need the may have access to education expenses and the scholarships or grants reported in boxes 1 and 5 of the form.

Keep Copy C of your 1098-T for your records. The IRS may ask to see it if they have questions about your education credits claim.

Situations where you might not receive a 1098-T

If you were not enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program, your school will not issue a 1098-T. Half-time enrollment is defined by the school's standards, which vary by institution. Some schools consider 6 credits half-time; others require 9 or 12. Check your school's catalog or ask the registrar what counts as half-time at your institution.

If you paid no may have access to education expenses during the year — for example, if your entire bill was covered by scholarships or grants — the school has nothing to report and will not send a form.

If you attended a school that is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an may be able to access institution, it will not issue a 1098-T. Most accredited colleges, universities, and vocational schools are may be able to access, but some online programs and unaccredited institutions are not.

If your school closed or went out of business during the year, you may not receive a 1098-T. Contact your state's higher education agency or the U.S. Department of Education to find out how to report your expenses if the school cannot send the form.

Getting a replacement 1098-T if yours is lost or damaged

Call or visit your school's financial aid office and request a duplicate. Most schools can reprint the form within a few business days. You may need to provide your student ID number and date of birth to verify your identity.

Some schools charge a small fee for duplicates, though many do not. Ask about the cost before requesting the replacement.

If your school has closed or merged with another institution, contact the new school or the state higher education agency. They can often retrieve your records and issue a replacement form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my 1098-T before January 31?

Schools are required to mail the form by January 31, but some send them earlier. Check your school's student portal or contact the financial aid office to see if you can view it online before the paper copy arrives. Having the information early can help you file your return sooner.

What if I attended two different schools in the same year?

Each school will send you a separate 1098-T reporting only the expenses they received from you. When you file your return, you will need to combine the may have access to expenses from both forms to calculate your education credit. Your tax software can usually handle multiple 1098-Ts.

Do I need the 1098-T to claim an education credit?

You can claim an education credit without a 1098-T if you have other records of your may have access to expenses, such as receipts, tuition bills, or bank statements. However, having the form makes it easier to document your claim if the IRS asks questions.

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

There is only one Form 1098-T. It reports all may have access to education expenses and any scholarships or grants applied to your bill. There is no separate "scholarship form" — scholarships appear as a line item on the standard 1098-T.

What happens if my school reports incorrect information on the 1098-T?

Contact your school's financial aid office when ready and ask them to issue a corrected form. The school can file an amended 1098-T with the IRS if needed. Keep documentation of the error and the correction in case you need to explain it to the IRS.