IMPORTANT NOTE: All information that The Citadel can or will provide you with is either on Form 1098-T or included within these webpages. We are not allowed to discuss tax implications, how this form may relate to you, or give tax advice. Please consult your tax preparer with all questions related to this document. Some helpful links to the IRS at the bottom of this page may provide you with more information related to how the Form 1098-T may affect you. As we cannot provide tax advice or the implications of the Form 1098-T, we will only be able to direct you or your tax preparer to this webpage to answer your questions.
EXPLANATION OF IRS FORM 1098-T
The IRS Form 1098-T is an information form filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Form 1098-T reports amounts paid for qualified tuition and related expenses (QTRE), as well as other related information. You, or the person who may claim you as dependent, may be able to take either the tuition and fees deduction or claim and education credit on Form 1040 or 1040A for the QTRE that were actually paid during the calendar year. There is no IRS requirement that you must claim the tuition and fees deduction or an education credit. Claiming education tax benefits is a voluntary decision for those who may qualify. There is no need to attach Form 1098-T to your tax return.
USE YOUR OWN RECORDS
We strongly recommend seeking professional assistance when claiming an education tax credit. Regardless of the information provided on the 1098-T, if you choose to claim an education tax credit, you should always keep documentation such as invoices/bills and receipts of payment that support any claimed tax credit even if you report only what is on Form 1098-T.
SPECIAL NOTE ON SENIOR YEAR FORMS
Note that the timing of each charge and payment/scholarship are important regarding which year they are reported in. Activity will be reported in the calendar year in which it actually occurred, regardless of which semester it is related to. Similar to most schools, The Citadel charges spring tuition & fees in the November/December timeframe and disburses spring financial aid in January. As such, the timing nuance tens to be most noticeable in a student’s senior year. If they registered on time and received their tuition & fee charges on time in November/December of their final year and then received their financial aid disbursement in January of their final year, their final 1098-T may possibly show zero ($0) in Box 1 while still populating an amount in Box 5. If you find yourself in this scenario, please consult a tax preparer regarding what this means to your individual tax situation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The links below may be helpful in understanding the instructions, purpose, and applicability of the Form 1098-T for your individual tax situation. We are not allowed to discuss tax implications, how this form may relate to you, or give tax advice. Please consult your tax preparer with all questions related to this form.
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/students
https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc421
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-970
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-benefits-for-education-information-center
If you still have questions/concerns, you can find our contact information at https://www.citadel.edu/sbs/contact-us/