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Level 1

Question

What is the “filers federal ID no.”

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
February 27, 2021
15 replies
107 views

I am manually entering my schools information as they never sent a 1098-T form. It’s asking for a “filers federal ID number.” What is that, and where can i obtain that

TurboTax Deluxe Online

MayaD

Alumni - Intuit

Try to log into your online college account and go to their financial section to get financial details. If you didn't receive a Form 1098-T, you can still enter your school expenses without a Form 1098-T. When you come to the screen asking if you received a Form 1098-T, simply answer “no” to that question and proceed with the rest of the interview.

To report your Education expenses:

Login to your account.
Select Federal from the left menu.
Go to Deductions and Credits.
Scroll down to Education.
Select Start next to Expenses and Scholarships (Form 1098-T)

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Mapper23

Level 2

Maya, You didn't answer the question. We need to know what the Filer ID is and where to find it. If it is the School's Federal ID, the form should be straightforward and use that term. Remember, we use Turbo Tax because we're not accountants.

DawnC

Employee Tax Expert

The ''filer's federal ID no.'' is at the top of Form 1098-T. If you don't have Form 1098-T, you have to answer NO to that question. You will only be asked for that number if entering Form 1098-T as it is specific to the school. The ID number is referenced as Filer's employer identification number on the form. @Mapper23

AmberLynne

Level 2

What if our kids are in school like elementary?? Do we just leave it blank? Tia

xmasbaby0

Level 15

@AmberLynne Your children are in elementary school?

EDUCATION EXPENSES

Education expenses for grades K-12 are not deductible on your Federal return, whether for private, public, or home schooling, nor are the expenses for tutoring, after school lessons or after school activities, such as dance lessons, sports, etc. Some states allow deductions/credits for K-12 education and/or home schooling expenses; if your state has these deductions available, you will be prompted to enter them when you prepare your state return. (As far as I know, the states that offer any sort of K-12 deductions/credits are Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,Louisiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin)

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

Troubs5355

Level 2

Liberty university

KrisD15

Level 15

Please contact the school to get their EIN number.

That number is required when entering education expenses for an education credit on a Federal Return.

For questions regarding Form 1098-T from Liberty University, please e-mail studentaccounts1098@liberty.edu.

Liberty University Website link

@Troubs5355

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jelorden

Level 2

I have the EIN number for my college, which is in Canada. Should I put the EIN number for my school where it says "Filer's federal ID no."?

Thank you!

KrisD15

Level 15

Yes

That is the same thing- "Filer's Federal ID no." and "EIN".

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jelorden

Level 2

Thanks!

user17717081512

Level 2

For my situation, all of the answers so far have not been helpful. I'm stuck at a window, forced to add an answer for "Enter the Federal ID number" field. This is for a foreign university. I've already entered that I don't have a federal ID number. Anything I put into the field is erased automatically. So frustrating.

Now I'm in line (waiting for 20 mins) for the next chat person. So frustrating.

Why do you require this if there's no way to get the information?! So frustrating.

DaveF1006

Level 15

Yes, without a Foreign Federal ID Number, this return cannot be filed electronically. Before you pursue this path however, first determine if your university is eligible for the Education Credit by being on the Department of Education list. Here is a link to that list.

If your university is not on the Federal Student Aid list, you cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit (AOTC) or the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC). The IRS is very strict about this. The school must be eligible for U.S. federal aid for you to get a tax break on your U.S. return. Even if it is, without a valid EIN, you won't be eligible for an American Opportunity Credit but may be eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit.

If your school is listed, type 99-9999999. If erased automatically, you will need to print and mail your return. Since you are printing the return, you can take a pen and cross out the 99-9999999 on the printed paper and write "N/A - FOREIGN ENTITY".

If you wish to have a cleaner copy, just leave the EIN blank and just print and mail your return once you are done preparing it.

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