The Form 1098T was created by the IRS after the initial education tax credits were passed into law, the Hope (now American Opportunity) and Lifetime Learning credits. 有 不仅仅是这两个但这就是一切的开始. 在2018年之前的年份, colleges had the option of completing either Box 1 or Box 2 related to Qualified 学费 and Related Expenses. Box 1 represented Payments w在这里as Box 2 was for calculated Billings.
联邦ly mandated tax reporting now mandates colleges report in Box 1. Form 1098-T reports the Qualified 学费 and Related Expenses paid during the calendar year, up to the amount billed for these expenses. Also included on the form is Box 5, Scholarships or 奖助金. This box is important for two reasons: it can help calculate how much is eligible for the credit; but 经常错过, it can also indicate that some of those scholarships are taxable. Let's first look at calculating the credit.
To get a start on what is eligible for the credit, the first step is to subtract Box 5 from Box 1. 为什么? Scholarships are generally applied to tuition. 而且,它们只是 免税 to the extent that they are applied to tuition (and related expenses). I have more on when they aren't below. So, if the scholarship is paying tuition, 而你却没有用它, then you will not be eligible for the credit. Unfortunately, doing this math is not necessarily the end. Box 1 is what was paid during the year for Qualified 学费 and Expenses billed during the year. Colleges bill for their spring or first calendar year term usually in late November or early December. This allows taxpayers to do some planning, but makes it confusing. 在规划端, the bill isn't usually due until January, so you can decide which tax year works best by paying in either December or January. 问题是,你付了多少钱? 事情并不总是那么简单. For some, the information on the 1098T is all that is needed. For others, the best way is to pull out the statements from the college or request one. Things to remember: all payments you made count, including payments on credit cards and student loans (see below). Unfortunately, this whole confusion sends many to a tax advisor. If you are unsure, having one help, at least the first time through, may not be a bad idea.