How do I claim Pell Grant as taxable income without a 1098T

[legitoutlaw87]

Pell grants pays off most of my classes before VA finally pays out, then the amount is refunded to me. I’ve gone through the account and got totals as best as I could for 2021 since the school refused me a 1098-T form. 

I see a way to claim without 1098T and did my best to enter the amounts correctly. However I was told before that I don’t need to claim VA benefits. So do I have to even put it in there? It also asked me twice the amount not used for educational expenses. This of course lowered my refund amount pretty hardcore. I just want to make sure I’m entering everything correctly to get that portion of Pell grant I used for room and board taxed. 

I entered the school info, then the amount of Pell grant refunded to me, the amount va paid out to the school, and the next page asked for the amount not used for educational expense and the page after asks again for the amount used for room and board. I entered the same amount for both of these.

, my refund of course dropped. However I’m seeing online in here that I need to enter the amount somewhere with an SCH? Am I claiming it wrong? 

[Hal_Al]

Even with grants and GI bill, you have a financial account at the school (bills. invoices and statements).  It's usually online and actual bills are not mailed out.  You have to sort it out.  You are correct, a large part of your Pell Grant is taxable.  Only the portion that pays for "qualified expenses" (tuition, fees, course materials, including a required computer) is tax free.  If GI bill is paying for all that, you are safe in declaring all your Pell Grant as income.

page 2 of pub 970:"What's New for 2020 Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act. Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, are not includible in your gross income. Because the grant is not includible in your gross income, you cannot claim any deduction or credit for expenses paid with the grant including the tuition and fees deduction, the American opportunity credit, or the lifetime learning credit. See FAQs: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act."

[legitoutlaw87]

I figured, however, I just wanted to make sure I am declaring it properly. I’ve described how it’s walking me through but it doesn’t seem correct.

[Hal_Al]

Q.  However I was told before that I don’t need to claim VA benefits.

A. You don't have to claim it as income, even the part that paid room & board.  But you cannot claim a tuition credit based on the amount of qualified expenses (tuition, fees and books) paid by the GI bill.  That's probably the reason you didn't get a 1098-T. 

All about GI benefits and taxes

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/military/are-gi-benefits-considered-income-on-your-tax-return/L...