Frequently Asked Questions about IRS Tax Form 1098-T

 

 

1.  What is Form 1098-T Tuition Payments Statement?

An eligible educational institution, such as a college or university, that receives qualified tuition and related expenses on a student’s behalf must furnish a Form 1098-T to the student.  This information will help determine whether a student or the person who may claim the student as a dependent, may claim an income tax credit for the Hope credit or Lifetime learning credit on Form 8863, Education Credits.  Parents or students should keep the form for their tax records (for proof of enrollment) if they choose to claim a tax credit.

 

2.  When will the 1098-T forms be mailed to the students?

The forms will be mailed to the student’s permanent address (or a local address if no permanent address is indicated in student records) by January 31, 2003.

 

3.  How do I calculate the education tax credit?

Texas Tech personnel cannot determine if you qualify for a tax credit nor can Texas Tech personnel calculate the tax credit for you. Students should obtain IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education and IRS Form 8863, Education Credits at www.irs.gov or contact his or her personal tax advisor for assistance.  You can also reach the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-1040.

 

4.  Why does Form 1098-T not have any financial information on it? 

The IRS does not require colleges and universities to provide financial information on the form for the 2002 tax year.  Therefore, the form will only contain the student’s name, address, social security number and indicate whether the student was carrying at least one-half the normal full-time work load for the student’s course of study during the year and if the student was enrolled in a program leading to a graduate degree, graduate-level certificate, or other recognized graduate-level educational credential.  The information reported on Form 1098-T will be exactly what is reported to the IRS.

 

5.  How do I obtain the financial information if Texas Tech does not provide this on the form?

You should use the tuition and fee billing statements that were received during the year.  If you need a copy of any semester for 2002, students can send an email request to student business services at sbs@ttu.edu, or call (806) 742-3272 or fax to (806) 742-0445 and include the student’s name, mailing address, social security number and the semester(s) that are needed.

 

6.  How do I request a duplicate copy of my form 1098-T?

Students can email a request to the tax compliance office at ba1098T@techmail.admin.ttu.edu and include the student’s name, social security number and mailing address.  Students can also leave a message on a recorded phone line at (806) 742-0829 or fax a request to (806) 742-0066 or send a request through the mail to Texas Tech, Attn:  1098-T, P.O. Box 41102, Lubbock, TX 79409 and again include the student’s name, social security number and mailing address.

 

7.  If there is an error on the 1098-T form, how can I get this corrected?

Students can email their corrections to the tax compliance office at ba1098T@techmail.admin.ttu.edu, or leave a message on a recorded phone line at (806) 742-0829 or fax information to (806) 742-0066 or send a request through the mail to Texas Tech, Attn:  1098T, P.O. Box 41102, Lubbock, TX 79409.  Students will need to include their name and social security number as it is shown on the 1098-T form, a phone number including area code where they can be reached and then include the correction that needs to be made to the form.  Examples of some errors would be the social security number is wrong and/or there is an error in box 4 and/or box 5 of the form.