What is the 1098-T form?
The 1098-T form is a Tuition Statement provided by higher education institutions to all students who have been charged for tuition during the calendar year. Depending on your income (or your family’s income, if you are a dependent), whether you were considered full or half-time enrolled, and the amount of your qualified educational expenses for the year, you may be eligible for a federal education tax credit. (You can find detailed information about claiming education tax credits in IRS Publication 970, page 9.)
The dollar amounts reported on your Form 1098-T may assist you in completing IRS Form 8863 – the form used for calculating the education tax credits that a taxpayer may claim as part of your tax return.
Stevenson University is unable to provide you with individual tax advice, but should you have questions, you should seek the counsel of an informed tax preparer or adviser.
When will the 1098-T tax form be available to eligible students?
Eligible students that elected to receive an electronic 1098-T will be able to view their tax form online, by January 25. Paper forms will be mailed out to students by January 31.
How do I view my Electronic 1098-T?
Students can view their Electronic 1098-T through Self-Service, if they have elected for the electronic format. Once in Self-Service, under the Tax Information menu select 1098 Information. Select for tax year.
How do I sign up for the Electronic 1098-T?
Students may elect to receive an electronic 1098-T through Self-Service. Once in Self-Service, under Tax Information, select 1098 Electronic Consent. Once you have selected the option to receive the electronic format, select Save. If you have not completed this process prior to the end of calendar year, you may not receive access to the form electronically. A paper form will be mailed to your address on file.
What amounts are included in Box 1?
The total amount of payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses from all sources during the calendar year. The amount reported is the total amount of payments received less any reimbursements or refunds made during the calendar year that relate to the payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses during the same calendar year. The amount reported is not reduced by scholarships and grants reported in box 5. Included in this box is the receipt of a payment of past-due qualified tuition or related expenses from a previous calendar year, but only if the educational institution previously billed the student for such amount(s).
Why is Box 2 empty?
In previous years, your 1098-T included a figure in Box 2 that represented the qualified tuition and related expenses (QTRE) we billed to your student account for the calendar (tax) year. Due to a change to institutional reporting requirements under federal law, beginning with tax year 2018, we will report in Box 1 the amount of QTRE you paid during the year.
What are considered ‘qualified charges’?
Tuition and fees required for course registration are considered qualified. This includes tuition, part-time registration fees, full-time registration fees (including technology, general, and activity fees), and required course fees.
Book expenses are not included on form 1098-T.
Room, meals, transportation, insurance premiums, and medical expenses are not qualified educational expenses and are not included on form 1098-T.
What amounts are reported in Box 5?
Box 5 includes all scholarships and grants that have been posted to your student account during the calendar year. This box may also include payments from outside agencies, for scholarships, VA Benefit payments, or other tuition payments made by third party agencies.
Why is my Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) required for the form 1098-T tax form?
Federal regulations require students to furnish their Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for federal reporting requirements. These requirements apply to any student, regardless of whether the student seeks or intends to seek the American opportunity tax credit (formerly Hope credit) or Lifetime Learning Credit. If the SSN/TIN is not on file at the University, please complete the Form W-9S and mail the form to the Student Accounts Office.
I am a recipient of a GI Bill paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). How are the GI Bill tuition and stipend payments reported on a form 1098-T?
Per IRS Publication 970, payments you receive for education, training, or subsistence under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are tax free. However, for U.S. tax reporting purposes, GI Bill benefits designated for tuition and fees do not count as qualified payments against federal education tax credits. As required, all GI Bill benefit payments made to the University are included in Box 5, reducing the tax credit eligibility. Stipends and payments made directly to the student are not included in the 1098-T form.
I lost my form and need a copy; how do I request a copy?
If the student has elected to receive electronic access, they can view and print their form online using Self-Service/Financial Information/Tax Information. To request another copy be mailed please email the Student Accounts Office at studentaccounts@stevenson.edu . The form will be mailed to the address on file.
Can you mail the form to my parents or tax preparer?
Stevenson University mails the 1098-T form only to students, at the student’s address on file. Students are expected to provide the tax form to their parent(s), guardian, or tax preparer. Students can also access this form online in Self-Service or grant Proxy Access by editing proxy details to allow Tax Information access.
I still have more questions. Who do I call?
Please call the Student Accounts office at 443-334-3500 with questions, or email us at studentaccounts@stevenson.edu. Our office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.