No 1098-T

[the7esses]

We don't receive a 1098-T from my son's college.  When going thru Turbo Tax, it asked if we had educational expenses without a 1098 & said that we could still deduct withou it, so I clicked YES, but all other questions seemed to indicate that a 1098 was necessary.  If I have proof of tuition paid to a school, but have no 1098 form issued by the school, am I still "legal" filling out that portion of Turbo Tax?

[JulieS]

A 1098-T is required for the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. You may be able to claim a Tuition and Fees deduction if you are eligible for that. 

Have you asked his school why they don't issue a 1098-T form? Virtually all accredited colleges and universities do. If you do claim a credit for tuition and did not receive a 1098-T form, the burden is on you to find out if the school an accredited institution.

Click here to check. 

[NCperson]

it is possible that the school doesn't issue the 1098-T because they are not accredited which means you cannot take AOTC.  I've seen it happen 

[Hal_Al]

The 1098-T is frequently not mailed out by the school, but is available at the student's online account.

After telling TT that you don't have a 1098-T, you'll be asked if your school qualifies for an exception (a common one is that scholarships exceed tuition).