1098T discrepancy

[nypaul61]

HELP!

My son was a senior in 2020.  He graduated and got a job and is now on his own and not a dependent.

He received a 2020 1098T that showed receipt of a scholarship of @ #12,000.  His tuition for the spring of 2020 was @ $25,000.  The tuition was paid in December of 2019 and does not show on box 1 of the 1098T.  The scholarship does show on the 1098T. Now, when my son is doing his taxes for 2020, he is seeing his income include the $12,400 scholarship.  He never received this money - it went straight to the school and should not be included as his 2020 income.

How does he fix this?

[Hal_Al]

The 1098-T is only an informational document. The numbers on it are not required to be entered onto your tax return.  You do not have to report getting on, unless you are claiming a tuition credit.

If you know it's a wash, just don't enter the 1098-T.