Dependent student's college was not required to file 1098T with IRS. Should the unofficial form be entered in the 1098T section?

[avsilverwolf]

Student received an "unofficial" 1098T form stating that none of the info was reported to IRS

[LinaJ2020]

What do you mean by "unofficial"?  If nobody paid any qualified education expenses including tuition and books out of pocket, you do not qualify for a education tax break.  You do not need to file the form.

Generally, you receive a Form 1098-T when you paid tuition amount to your school.  If you meet certain requirements, you may qualify for an education tax break including the American Opportunity Tax Credit AOTC, Lifetime Learning Credit or Tuition & Fees deduction. 

[avsilverwolf]

The form received says the following: "A representation of the Tuition Statement form 1098T is shown below. This will not be sent to you or to the Internal Revenue Service as the amounts do not require reporting."

I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that all tuition was paid by grants?

[KrisD15]

If the 1098-T does not generate a credit, and also does not generate taxable income for the student to report, the 1098-T and/or "A representation of the Tuition Statement" need not be entered into the TurboTax program. 

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

You should not enter the "representation" at the 1098-T screen in TurboTax (TT).  If you do that will tell TT to check the box on form 8863 that you received a 1098-T.  Instead, you should answer that you have an exception to having a 1098-T. Then follow the interview. It will allow you to enter the amounts on the representation