Tuition Statements & Tax Credit FAQs

 


Where can I find the 1098-T form?

If eligibility requirements are met, you may obtain your 1098-T form online by following these steps:

  1. Sign in to your MySJSU account
  2. From the Student Center page, scroll down to Finances
  3. Click the View and Print 1098T Form hyperlink
  4. Enter the Calendar Year
  5. Click the Search button


I am not sure what to do with this tuition statement with regard to my income tax filing. Whom should I contact?

The Bursar's Office is not able to answer tax questions or offer legal advice. Please seek advice from the IRS or a tax professional. Information is also available in the IRS Publication 970 Tax Benefits for Education.


What does the 1098T Tuition Statement look like?

SJSU reports amounts billed (charged). See box 2 on a sample 1098-T Tuition Statement.
Note: Documents in pdf format require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing.



Who can claim the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Tax Credit or the Higher Education Tuition and Fees Deduction?

An eligible taxpayer may claim them. An eligible taxpayer may be the student or, if the student is a dependent for federal income tax purposes, the person (e.g., parent) claiming the student as a dependent. A student who is a dependent cannot claim the tax credits or deduction on his or her own tax return.


Why aren't there amounts in both boxes 1 and 2 on the 1098-T form?

Institutions may elect to report either the aggregate amount of payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses (box 1), or the aggregate amount billed for qualified tuition and related expenses (box 2) during the calendar year with respect to individuals enrolled for any academic period.


What educational expenses are considered as qualified tuition and related expenses?

Qualified tuition and related expenses are tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution that were paid on or after January 1 and on or before December 31 of the tax year. They do not include books, room and board, student activities, athletics (unless the course is part of the degree program), insurance, equipment, transportation, or other similar personal, living or family expenses.


I paid my qualified tuition and related expenses with student loans. Can I still claim an American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Tax Credit or the Higher Education Tuition and Fees Deduction?

Yes. Loan funds should be considered in the same manner as cash payments when calculating an American Opportunity or the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit or the Higher Education Tuition and Fees Deduction. However, any scholarships, grants or other non-taxable aid must be deducted from the amount of qualified tuition and related expenses paid.


Why didn't I receive a 1098-T Tuition Statement?

According to IRS guidelines, SJSU is not obligated to file the 1098-T Tuition Statement or furnish a statement for:

  • Courses for which no academic credit is offered, even if the student is otherwise enrolled in a degree program.
  • Nonresident alien students.
  • Students whose qualified tuition and related expenses are entirely waived or paid entirely with scholarships or grants. According to IRS guidelines, SJSU is not required to provide/mail a 1098T to students whose fees are paid by financial aid. However, this data is provided electronically via MySJSU so that students may print out the form and discuss with their tax advisor their situation and eligibility for any kind of tax credit, etc.
  • Students whose qualified tuition and related expenses are covered by a formal billing arrangement between an institution and the student's employer or a governmental entity, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.