Hi, I have seen some 1098-t issues with schools and believe that my school messed up with my 1098t form for 2019, too. I need some advice on this. please!
My story is...
Dec in 2018, I was a full time employee but registered ESL online classes (not enrolled in a degree program - probably no academic credits) in order for me to take some pre-requisite courses after, pursuing to obtain a degree in the future but the classes were cancelled so I got a refund of approx. $1,200 in Jan, 2019. Apparently they issued a 1098-t form for 2019 but I did not know about the form and also did not receive it. (so, I did not file it)
Fortunately, I got waived to take the ESL classes, so I took the pre-reqs in the summer 2019, paid approx. $2,000 in Apr 2019. (I had to quit my job and was enrolled in a degree program - total 8 academic credits / at least half time student as said on the form)
Last month, I realized that I have the 2018 form when I checked the 2019 form on student portal. However, the amount on the 2019 form was only approx. $800 because they deducted the refunded amount ($1,200) out of the whole sum I paid for the summer classes in 2019. When I initially talked with the school, I understood the refund part so they had to issue that way so I was going to amend the 2018 tax return to get education credits so I could get the credits from the both years no matter what.
However, I couldn't receive any credits from 2018 but receive a few for $800 (which is the said mount in the 2019 form - so I filed it before knowing the 2018 issue). I did a lot of research on the issue and found out some factors that I wasn't eligible to claim the credits in 2018 (not a half time student, no academic credit, etc - even if I had filed it on time) so I went to school again to talk about this but they did not care at all. Since I am eligible to claim the credits for the money I paid 2019 (but I wasn't in 2018), I think I should be able to claim the credits for WHAT I paid which is $2,000, no $800. I think I could get more credits then.
All they said is nonsense and "we just issued the forms so you have to contact your accountant how to file it correctly". When I spoke with some accountants, they said this is school's fault and they should reissue the form. What should I do? Should I amend and re-enter the amount I have paid no matter what? If this is going to be a hassle with IRS, should I just let it go?
Please help!
Thank you.
