Your school mails or emails the 1098-T to you by January 31 each year, or you can request it directly if you haven't received it
The 1098-T is a tax form that reports may have access to education expenses you paid during the tax year. Your school — not the IRS — generates and sends it to you. Most schools mail it to your address on file, though some now email it instead. If you haven't received it by early February, contact your school's financial aid or registrar's office to request a copy or ask whether they sent it electronically.
The form arrives in two parts: Copy 1 goes to the IRS, Copy 2 is yours to keep with your tax records. You need your copy to claim education tax credits on your federal return — specifically the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit. Without it, you cannot report those expenses to the IRS.
Key Takeaways
- Your school is required to send you the 1098-T by January 31 of the year after you paid the expenses.
- Check your email first, since many schools now send it electronically rather than by mail.
- If you don't have it by mid-February, contact your school's financial aid office or registrar to request a replacement copy.
- You need the 1098-T to claim education credits on your tax return, but you can also reconstruct the form yourself if your school cannot provide it.
Where to look first: your school's online portal
Most colleges and universities now post the 1098-T in your student account portal before mailing a physical copy. Log into your school's student information system (often called a student center, portal, or dashboard) and look for a section labeled "Tax Documents," "1098-T," "Tax Forms," or "Financial Documents." Some schools file it under "Statements" or "Account Information."
If your school uses a third-party document delivery system, you may receive an email with a link to read it rather than finding it in the main portal. Check your email inbox and spam folder for messages from your school's financial aid office or a vendor name like Taxnetix, Inceptia, or similar document services. The email usually arrives in late January.
Contacting your school if you can't find it
Call or email your school's financial aid office directly. Have your student ID number ready. Tell them you need a copy of your 1098-T for the tax year in question. Most schools can email you a PDF within one business day or remail a physical copy within a week.
If your school says they cannot locate a record of your expenses, ask whether you were enrolled at least half-time for at least one academic period during the tax year. The 1098-T only reports expenses for students who meet that threshold. If you do not meet it, your school will not issue a form — but you may still be able to claim education credits if you reconstruct the expenses yourself.
What to do if your school won't provide the form
Some schools close or merge, and older records become difficult to retrieve. If your school cannot provide the 1098-T, you can reconstruct it yourself using your own records. Gather receipts, billing statements, or tuition payment confirmations from the year in question. The IRS does not require you to attach the 1098-T to your return; you only need to report the amounts on the appropriate lines of your tax form.
Write down the may have access to expenses you paid: tuition, required fees, and course materials (books, supplies, equipment). Do not include room and board, transportation, or personal expenses. If you received scholarships or grants that covered any of these expenses, subtract that amount from your total. The remaining amount is what you can report on your return.
Understanding what the 1098-T actually reports
The 1098-T has four main boxes. Box 1 shows may have access to tuition and education expenses you paid in the calendar year. Box 2 shows scholarships or grants your school paid on your behalf. Box 5 shows whether you were enrolled at least half-time. Boxes 1 and 2 are what you need to calculate your education credit.
The form does not automatically mean you can claim a credit — it only reports what you paid. You still have to determine whether you meet the income limits for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (up to $2,500 per student) or the Lifetime Learning Credit (up to $2,000 per return). Your tax software or a tax professional will walk you through that calculation when you file.
Requesting a duplicate if you lost your copy
If you received the 1098-T but lost it, your school can issue a duplicate. Contact the financial aid office and ask for a replacement. They may label it as a duplicate or reissue, but it is the same form. There is no charge for this, and it usually takes a few business days.
Keep a copy of the 1098-T with your tax return and supporting documents for at least three years. The IRS can audit your education credit claim during that window, and you will need proof of the expenses you reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the 1098-T to claim an education credit?
No. The 1098-T is a reporting form, but you can claim a credit using your own records if your school does not provide it. However, you must have documentation of the expenses you paid in case the IRS asks.
What if the 1098-T shows expenses I didn't actually pay?
Contact your school's financial aid office when ready. The form may include expenses paid by scholarships or grants that should not be counted toward your credit. Your school can issue a corrected form (called a Form 1098-T with an amended box or a new form marked "corrected").
Can I get a 1098-T for a year I attended but didn't pay tuition?
No. The 1098-T only reports expenses you actually paid during that calendar year. If someone else paid your tuition (a parent, employer, or scholarship), your school will not issue a form in your name, though the payer may be able to claim the credit instead.
What if I attended two schools in the same year?
Each school will send you a separate 1098-T reporting only the expenses you paid to that school. When you file your return, you combine the amounts from all forms to calculate your total credit.
How long do I keep the 1098-T?
Keep it with your tax return and receipts for at least three years from the date you file. If the IRS audits your education credit claim, you will need to show proof of the expenses you reported.