Box 1 of my 2018 1098T does not reflect the full amount of tuition I paid for the year 2018. My college refuses to correct it, what do I do?

[black_hearted_ch]

I paid all of my 2018 tuition out of pocket; I received no financial aid of any kind. I understand that for 2018, the IRS forced colleges to begin reporting amount of tuition paid in box 1 in a school year now vs amounts billed in box 2. (ostensibly to cut down on errors and confusion.)

My box 1 is incorrect and only reflects the amount paid for fall 2018, it does not reflect any amount I paid for spring 2018 tuition. Yes, all of these amounts were paid in the 2018 calendar year. I have receipts and bank statements; my college has records and still they refuse to correct the 1098T. I was basically politely told "too bad, we see this amount you paid but box 1 will stay the same". I am not sure what to do because if I claim different amounts on my taxes than what the 1098T issued by my college says that I paid, won't that raise a big red flag for the IRS? I don't like the idea of being audited because someone at the college is less than adept at their job.

[MinhT · Accepted solution]

This happens frequently. You do not need to ask the school to change form 1098-T. TurboTax has a fix for your problem. This will not trigger a red flag with the IRS.

If your box 1 does not show the correct amount paid, when filling out your form 1098-T in TurboTax, leave it blank on the entry screen.

Under box 1, on the 1098-T screen is a blue link: What if this is not what (student name) paid to this school? Click on that and you will be given a chance to enter what was actually paid in 2018 (see attached screenshot).

TurboTax will use the amount you entered as tuition paid.

[Yogirlnaomi]

So my Box 1 on my 1098 T says I only paid $1400 of tuition expenses, however my tuition alone was $5199. The scholarships and grants were kinda right I guess but my bill says almost $10000, my student loans paid for most but it should still be counted for on my 1098 T

[Hal_Al]

The 1098-T is only an informational document. The numbers on it are not required to be entered onto your tax return. However receipt of a 1098-T frequently means you are either eligible for a tuition credit or deduction or possibly your student has taxable scholarship income. 

If you claim the tuition credit, you do need to report that you got one or that you qualify for an exception (the TurboTax interview will handle this)

You claim the tuition credit, or report scholarship income, based on your own financial records, not the 1098-T. In the 1098-T screen, click on the link "What if this is not what I paid the school" underneath box 1. You will then be able to enter the actual amounts paid. You will also reach a screen that allows you to adjust the scholarship amount for "amounts not awarded for 2020 expenses".