entering foreign school education expenses, but the school has no Fed Tax ID. TurboTax will not let me 'Continue' without it?

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
April 5, 2026
2 replies
84 views

No 1098-T was sent or available

TurboTax Online

Best answer by Hal_Al

Expert Reviewed

If the school does not have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), you are not eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), even if the school is an "Eligible institution" on the Dept. of Education Federal Student Aid website . You are eligible for the less generous Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC).

MaryK4

Level 15

To claim any credit, the foreign school must be an eligible educational institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can verify this on the Federal Student Aid website or check if they have an OPEID number. If you know they qualify, follow these steps in TurboTax:

Go to Deductions & Credits > Education > Expenses and Scholarships (Form 1098-T).
When asked "Did you get a 1098-T?", select No.
On the next screen, look for the question about exceptions. Select the box for "I qualify for an exception". The IRS allows an exception for students at eligible institutions that are not required to furnish a 1098-T.
Provide the name and address of the school. If it asks for a zip code, look for a checkbox or dropdown to indicate it is a foreign address to bypass the U.S. zip code format.
When prompted for the Federal ID, look for an option that says "I can't find the ID" or leave it blank if the program allows you to continue after selecting the exception.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"