1098T

[Crodillas]

I received the AOTC credit in 2020. The number in box 5 (23,292) of my  daughters 1098T was higher than box 1 (23,208).  I also entered $1603 of additional expenses (laptop, supplies, books), thus allowing us to take the credit. But now I am wondering if we should have been allowed the credit. My daughter received a copy of the 1098t after asking for it, but the box noting if hard copy was mailed was checked No. Does that mean the school didn't send the 1098 and if not, is the credit not allowed? I read somwhere (which triggered panic) that a 1098 is required to take the credit.  

[Hal_Al]

Q.  The box noting if hard copy was mailed was checked No. Does that mean the school didn't send the 1098-T and if not, is the credit not allowed?

A. No.   You are allowed the credit.  A copy of the 1098-T, printed from the school's web site counts as having received a 1098-T.  You have a 1098-T that qualifies for the credit. 

Yes, a 1098-T is required to claim the credit, but exceptions apply.  In your case, you don't need an exception because you have a qualified1098-T.