I have a 1098-T from 1 school I attend full-time, and another where I am less than half-time. Do I have to file the 1098-T for the less than half-time school?

[jportermedia]

I am attending 2 different schools. One is my primary campus where I attend full-time status. The other school I am only taking 1 class at and would be considered less than half-time. When I file the full-time school 1098-T, I get the American Opportunity Credit. But as soon as I enter the information for my second school, I lose that credit because even though I attend 1 school full-time, my status for both schools changes to less than half-time.

I used all out of pocket money to pay for the school that I am only taking 1 class at, so there is no financial aid involved. So, do I need to file the 1098-T for my less than half-time school?

[Carl]

The requirement is that you attend as "at least" a half time student for "at least" any one semester that started in the tax year. Your case is unique, but you'll be fine indicating on both 1098-T's that you were "at least" a half-time student. There is no requirement to attend each college as "at least" a half time student. The requirement is that you be enrolled as "at least" a half time student in a qualified institution of higher learning. You exceed that requirement with just one school. So for your tax purposes you'll be fine indicating on the 1098-T where you only take one class, that you were enrolled "at least" half time.

I'm wondering why we don't see more of this, because I'm sure there are a fair number out there like you, who may take one class during the summer that is not at their primary college of enrollment.

[jportermedia]

Thank you Carl for the assistance. I was completely misreading the question after entering the 1098-T information. I read it as "at least half-time at XYZ University" when in reality it was asking if I am "at least half-time for all of 2016." Thanks for helping me realize it was a simple answer!

[jacquedodds]

Good info to know! Thanks Carl!

[Carl]

Sometimes even I am just as guilty for what I call "forgetting the basics". In my business as a computer tech, I spent hours trying to figure out why a computer would not power up. That is, until the client's 9 year old son walked into the room and plugged it in.

[jacquedodds]

Cracked me up!!!! Been there!