Question reguarding my taxes and my school.

[B_Kitchens29388]

Hello everyone,

I have a question. When I filed my 2019 taxes I wasn't aware that I could file my school and when I opted to put in my information because I was new in college and wasn't form or aware of the 1098T or where to get it. So, I didn't file with my school that year. I recently learned that I could amend my taxes for that year and file my school and get the difference back. Now, my dilemma; the school I was attending has closed down and I can't get the 1098t for that year, nor can I find out where to get it and I've called and called and can't get it. So, I was wondering if I could use the information from my school for the year 2020 and put it on my 2019 taxes because I wasn't in school bot both years and there was no change in those two years, or do I have to have the 2019 1098T in order to amend them. I tried asking this about a month ago but I didn't word the question correctly. Thanks everyone in advance for your feedback!

[MaryK4]

You can get a WAGE AND INCOME transcript from the IRS for 2019 and see if it is there.  Go to Get Transcript | Internal Revenue Service.

If you cannot get the information, you may be able to use your school invoices and payments, but try to get that IRS transcript first.

[Hal_Al]

It is not an absolute necessity (in your case) that you have a 1098-T.  In TurboTax, answer that you qualify for an exception. 

Be aware that a  full time unmarried student, under age 24, even if you don't qualify as a dependent, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. You usually must have actually paid tuition, not had it paid by scholarships & grants.  It is usually best if the parent claims that credit. 

You cannot claim a credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else.

Reference: Line 7 instructions for form 8863. https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8863