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Returning Member
posted Apr 6, 2025 8:42:30 PM

Do I need to report excess financial aid if I never received a 1098-T from my college?

Hello. I did not receive a 1098-T form for the 2024 school year because my financial aid exceeded my tuition cost. Therefore, I received a school refund for the Fall 24 semester. In 2024, I made over 30k in income. Am I still required to file taxes to report my excess financial aid? If so, how would I even input this into TurboTax without a 1098-T form? I am completely lost. Thank you!

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Apr 7, 2025 5:07:06 AM

Q, Do I need to report excess financial aid if I never received a 1098-T from my college?

A. Yes.

 

Q.  In 2024, I made over 30k in income. Am I still required to file taxes to report my excess financial aid? 

A. Yes. At $30K income, you are already required to file. You are now required to add the taxable portion of the scholarship to your tax return. 

 

Q.  If so, how would I even input this into TurboTax without a 1098-T form? 

A. Enter at Educational Expenses and Scholarships, under Deductions and credits (not the income section).

After answering no to having a 1098-T, answer yes to qualifying for an exception (that gets you to the entry screens). Then follow the interview*.  Enter the scholarship amount and all your off setting expenses (tuition, fees, books and a computer, if you bought one).  Room & board are not qualified expenses.

This will put the taxable scholarship amount  on line 8r of Schedule 1 (this line was added in 2022).

 

*Alternatively, there is a short cut. If you already know the taxable amount, enter a 1098-T with the taxable amount in box 5 and box 1 blank. Enter no other numbers. The "fake" 1098-T is not sent to the IRS. 

 

 

1 Replies
Level 15
Apr 7, 2025 5:07:06 AM

Q, Do I need to report excess financial aid if I never received a 1098-T from my college?

A. Yes.

 

Q.  In 2024, I made over 30k in income. Am I still required to file taxes to report my excess financial aid? 

A. Yes. At $30K income, you are already required to file. You are now required to add the taxable portion of the scholarship to your tax return. 

 

Q.  If so, how would I even input this into TurboTax without a 1098-T form? 

A. Enter at Educational Expenses and Scholarships, under Deductions and credits (not the income section).

After answering no to having a 1098-T, answer yes to qualifying for an exception (that gets you to the entry screens). Then follow the interview*.  Enter the scholarship amount and all your off setting expenses (tuition, fees, books and a computer, if you bought one).  Room & board are not qualified expenses.

This will put the taxable scholarship amount  on line 8r of Schedule 1 (this line was added in 2022).

 

*Alternatively, there is a short cut. If you already know the taxable amount, enter a 1098-T with the taxable amount in box 5 and box 1 blank. Enter no other numbers. The "fake" 1098-T is not sent to the IRS.