1098-T

[tdmartin]

My dad claims me as a dependent and he put my 1098-T on his taxes, however I pay for all of my tuition out of my pocket with absolutely no help from him. How is this possible that he gets the tax return from tuition that I pay for 

[JotikaT2]

The only way he can claim you as a dependent is if he meets all of the requirements in the attached link.  For your particular circumstances, if you did not provide more than half of your own support, then he can technically claim you as a dependent.

Dependent qualifications

If you determine after reviewing the above link that he should not be claiming you as his dependent, he will need to file an amended return removing you as his dependent and removing the 1098-T information.

Only then would you be able to file your own return and claim the education credit.  Please note the education credit is only partially refundable.  If your tax obligations goes to $0, only 40% of the credit or $1,000 can be refunded to you.

Attached is some additional information on the education credits and deductions available.

Chart comparing credits

Tuition & fees deduction