How to Use Form 1098-T to Figure American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit

How to Use Form 1098-T to Figure American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit

Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement is the form used by eligible educational institutions or insurers to report qualified education expenses, scholarships and grants,  and reimbursements to IRS. If you are a student of an eligible educational institution and paid qualified education expenses during a tax year, you should receive a copy of  Form 1098-T from the school you attend. Below you will find information and  examples of using Form 1098-T to calculate total qualified education expenses for claiming American opportunity credit or lifetime learning credit on Form 8863.



Example 1: Figure out the adjusted qualified education expenses for claiming American opportunity credit or lifetime learning credit.

Tom is a full time college student in 2016. The university he attended billed him $10,000 for 2016 tuition and related fees. He paid $10,000 from following sources. He also paid $500 books and supplies required for the course of study.




Step 1: Determine qualified education expenses.




Step 2: Use the worksheet below to determine tax free/ taxable scholarship or fellowship grand.



Step 3: calculate the adjusted qualified education expenses.



Definition of tax-free scholarships and fellowship grants
A scholarship or fellowship grant is tax free (excludable from gross income) only if:
1. you are a candidate for a degree at an eligible educational institution
2. You paid the following qualified education expenses:
  • Tuition and fees required to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution.
  • Course-related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies, at the eligible educational institution. and equipment that are required for the courses. These items must be required of all students in your course of instruction.

Example 2: Refigure and report adjustments made for a prior year for qualified tuition and related expenses.

Amy paid $5,000 tuition and fees in 2015 and claimed $2,500 American opportunity credit on her 2015 return. She received $1,500 refund  in 2016 after she filed her 2015 return. She needs to refigure the 2015 American opportunity credit using the revised qualified education expenses and report any addition tax liability on her 2015 tax return.

Step 1: Find out what was reported on 2015 return.

Step 2: Refigure 2015 education credit.



Step 3: Report the $125 as additional tax on 2016 tax return line 44 of Form 1040, or line 28 of Form 1040A.

Example - How to Claim Maximum Education Credits (American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit)


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