Q, On a 1098-T can I deduct $80,000 to pay my grandson's college tuition?
A. No.
Only the person claiming the student's exemption (dependency) can claim the education credit. There is no deduction, just a credit.
But, whomever does claim him, whether it be the parent or the student himself, they may count the tuition and expenses, you paid, in claiming the credit for themselves.
Although the general rule, in taxes, is that you must be the one making the payment, to get the deduction or credit, there is an exception for education.
Here's a post on the five main points on the 1098-T:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-what-do-i-do-with-form-1098t/01/37...
