Form 1098-T FAQs

About the Form 1098-T

What is the Form 1098-T?

The Form 1098-T is used by eligible educational institutions to report information about their students to the IRS as required by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Eligible educational institutions are required to submit the student's name, address, taxpayer's identification number (TIN), enrollment status, amounts paid pertaining to qualified tuition and related expenses billed within the year, and scholarships and/or grants, taxable or not. A 1098-T form must be provided to each applicable student.

When will I receive my 1098-T?

The Form 1098-T is released mid-January of each year. TCC sends a notification to your student email when the form is available.

Why did I receive a 1098-T and what am I supposed to do with it?

In January of each year, the IRS Form 1098-T is made available to you if you've paid qualified tuition and other related educational expenses during the previous calendar year. The amount paid will be limited based on the amount of qualified tuition and other related expenses billed within the same year.

This form is informational only and should not be considered as tax opinion or advice. It serves to alert you that you may be eligible for federal income tax education credits. Receipt of Form 1098-T does not indicate eligibility for the tax credit.

To determine the amount of qualified tuition and fees paid, and the amount of scholarships and grants received, you should use your own financial records.

Can I receive my 1098-T form online?

Yes, you may obtain your 1098-T electronically through MyTCCTrack. You will not receive a mailed copy if you consent to the electronic form by the given deadline.

To ensure you receive an electronic format,

  1. Log in to MyTCCTrack.
  2. Choose Tax Information.
  3. Select the 1098 Information tab.
  4. Choose Receive my 1098 only in electronic format.

The electronic version is adequate for any reporting requirements.

If you do not consent to receive the electronic format by the given deadline, your last chosen consent from a prior year determines if you will receive a mailed paper copy of the 1098-T.

Can I receive my 1098-T form through the mail?

Yes, you may have a paper copy of your 1098-T mailed to you.

To withhold your consent for an electronic format (and receive a mailed copy),

  1. Log in to MyTCCTrack.
  2. Choose Tax Information.
  3. Select the 1098 Information tab.
  4. Choose Withhold my consent.

You will not receive a mailed copy if you consent to the electronic form by the given deadline.

What does it mean to "withhold my consent" to the electronic format?

Choosing to withhold your consent means you are selecting the paper format by USPS mail. Please note, TCC will mail 1098-T forms around mid-January of each year.

You will not receive a mailed form if you withhold your consent after the posted deadline for the year.

What if I did not "consent" or "withhold my consent" by the deadline?

If you did not select a preference on receiving your Form 1098-T, we will send a paper copy through the USPS mail in January.

I did not receive a mailed copy of my Form 1098-T. Can I get another copy mailed to me?

TCC mails the Form 1098-T to students in January.

If you did not receive your 1098-T, you may still access your 1098-T online through the Tax Information area of MyTCCTrack.

Can I have my form emailed to me?

No. Due to the information provided on the Form 1098-T and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, TCC will not email the form 1098-T. Forms are available online at all times by accessing Tax Information through MyTCCTrack.

What if the address on the 1098-T is incorrect?

It is not necessary that the address be correct for your reporting purposes. It is advisable, though, that you contact the Admissions and Registrar Office on your campus to correct or update your information for accurate communication with TCC.

Will I receive a 1098-T form if I'm a dual credit student?

You may receive a 1098-T form if you were billed and you paid TCC directly for eligible courses or TCC Plus during the calendar year. Receipt of the form does not guarantee you qualify for a federal income tax education credit. Please consult a tax advisor if you have any additional questions on the eligible credit for tuition paid.

What if I'm a dual enrolled student who received a Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) reimbursement for the Fall 2023 term?

You may receive a 1098-T form if you were billed and then paid TCC directly for eligible courses or for TCC Plus prior to the implementation of the FAST program.

If you received a reimbursement for any out-of-pocket book expenses, the reimbursement will not appear as a payment (Box 1) or a scholarship or grant (Box 5). Please consult a tax advisor for any additional questions concerning the FAST program reimbursement.

What if I'm a dual enrolled student who received Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) funds for TCC Plus charges during the Fall 2023 term?

You may receive a 1098-T form if you were billed and then paid TCC directly for eligible courses or for TCC Plus prior to the implementation of the FAST program.

If you received a FAST book award for the Fall 2023 term, the award will be reported as a payment (Box 1) and a scholarship or grant (Box 5). Please consult a tax advisor for any additional questions concerning the FAST program.

Why didn't I receive a 1098-T even though I made a tuition payment during the year?

The amount reported in Box 1 (payments received) is limited based on the amount of qualified tuition and related expenses you were billed within the same year.

If you did not register for any courses during the year, you will not have any qualified payments to report. Please consult a tax advisor when determining your eligibility for the tax credit.

Am I required to give my social security number to the school?

The College must include the Tax Identification Number (TIN), most commonly the social security number, on the Form 1098-T. This information must be provided to the IRS.

Therefore, a taxpayer may be questioned by the IRS if they claim an education tax credit from a school when a TIN was not included on the Form 1098-T.

Visit the TIN website for more information.

How do I update my TIN with the school?

You can update your TIN through your campus Admissions and Registrar Office. Learn how to make a record change request.

Information on the Form 1098-T

What amounts appear in Box 1 "Payments Received"?

Box 1 will include any payments made during the calendar year with reductions for any refunds or credits issued. Box 1 also includes payments associated with student loans, flight hours used, third party sponsors, financial aid awards, VA33/Post 911, and other miscellaneous school payments.

However, this amount is limited based on the amount of qualified tuition and related expenses billed within the same calendar year.

Why is there an amount in Box 1 for my 2022 1098-T and not in Box 2?

Due to 2018 IRS regulations, TCC reports tuition based on when payments were received (Box 1) instead of when the tuition was billed (Box 2). The amount in Box 1 will be limited based on the amount of qualified tuition and other related expenses billed within the same year.

If necessary, please consult your tax advisor and your own financial records when determining your eligibility for the tax credit.

Why does it appear that there is missing information for one or more semesters I attended during the year reported?

Box 1 (payments received) is limited based on the amount of qualified tuition and related expenses you were billed within the same year. Therefore, your personal financial records may not reflect the same paid amount.

This often happens when a student registers for a term during one calendar year and pays within the subsequent year. For example, when a student registers early for the Spring semester during the Fall semester.

What amounts appear in Box 4 "Adjustments made for a prior year"?

Effective with the 2019 tax season, Box 4 will include prior year payment adjustments. The amount in Box 4 will be limited to the amount of prior year invoice adjustments within the same year. Prior year payment adjustments may include refunds, grant and scholarship adjustments, VA33/Post 911 debt letters, third-party sponsor adjustments, credit card disputes, or any other miscellaneous payment reduction.

What amounts appear in Box 5 "Scholarships or grants"?

Box 5 will include all funds applied to tuition that were not paid by you, such as financial aid grants, scholarships, third party sponsor billing, or VA33/Post 911 funds.

What amounts appear in Box 6 "Adjustments to scholarships or grants for a prior year"?

This box shows the amount of any scholarship or grant reductions in the current calendar year for aid that was credited in a previous calendar year.

Why is Box 7 checked?

Box 7 will be checked if the amount reported in Box 1 included any payment for courses that will not begin until January through March of the following year.

Why is there no check mark in Box 8 "At least part-time"?

This box is checked if you were in at least 6 credit hours during the year.

Why are Continuing Education or College for Kids paid amounts not reported on my Form 1098-T?

Due to IRS guidelines, TCC does not include payments made for continuing education courses on the Form 1098-T.

Why are classes I registered for through MyTCCTrack's Instant Enrollment not reported on my Form 1098-T?

Due to IRS guidelines, TCC does not include payments made for these courses on the Form 1098-T.

Why are testing-related charges I paid through RegisterBlast not included on my Form 1098-T?

Since those charges were paid through a third-party vendor, they do not appear on your student account for 1098-T calculations.

Please consult a tax advisor in determining your eligibility for a tax credit.

Can I speak to someone directly about my Form 1098-T?

TCC maintains a 1098-T hotline (817-515-1098) which you may call for assistance.

Please be advised, TCC can only speak to you, the student, about any financial information on your account due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Learn more about FERPA and how to submit a waiver for academic privacy.

Updated January 19, 2024