I'm not claiming as a dependent in 2017, but I did get a 1098T which my parents paid for. Would I still record it on my taxes?

[Bsch4477 · Accepted solution]

If you were not claimed as a dependent you can claim education credit if qualified to do so.

[hl89]

Hi! Thanks so much for this answer. Later turbotax asks if I received a 1098T in 2016, which I did but I was still a dependent then. Would I say I did not receive one then since my parents filed it in their taxes?

[Bsch4477]

You can say you received one.

[Carl]

Your 2016 form 1098-T can not be used at all on the 2017 return. Since you were married in 2017, your parents do not qualify to claim you as a dependent on their tax return since you will be filing a joint return. (They qualify only if you file as married filing separate). So you will report the 2017 form 1098-T on your joint tax return.

[Bsch4477]

Carl..the education credit section asks about receiving the 2016 1098-T.  I don't think the poster intends to claim anything on it.

[Carl]

My last kid finished college in 2009. I was fixing to ask why the program would ask about a prior year's 1098-T, but I just realized why. I would expect that if the parent's reported the 2016 form 1098-T on their tax return, then in this case, @hl89 would answer that he did not receive a 1098-T in 2016.

[Bsch4477]

Not sure it matters, and it's kind of splitting hairs,  but actually the 1098-T is issued to the student, even though the parent may have used the information on it to claim the credit.

[Carl]

I'm not sure it matters either. But if the amount in box 5 of the 2016 form 1098-T is less than the amount in box 1 or 2, it really wouldn't matter for sure, then.