Form 1098-T w/amts in boxes 2 & 5 only

[AZ-Tax]

Client brings in form 1098-T with an amt in Box 2 that is 13 times larger then the amt in Box 5 yet NO amt in Box 1.

7, 8 & 9 are checked.

Looks to me this client paid nothing towards his tuition therefore not eligible for any credits or deduction.

[KBTS]

Some schools report only the amount of tuition billed (Box 2) and scholarships granted (Box 5), while others will put an amount in Box 1 for amounts paid. The best way to figure out what the student really paid is to get a printout from the school's accounting office - although you are lucky if most clients even have the 1098T; and if you ask for a printout of the account, they look at you like you are crazy. As many on this board have said, the 1098T is almost useless due to the lack of consistency in how they are completed.

[AZ-Tax]

Am I mandated to enter the data from this form 1098-T?

Does my clients form 1098-T need to be entered into my clients tax return?

[KBTS]

There is no mandate that you use the figures from the 1098T. You need to determine if you feel comfortable using the figures to calculate any education tax benefits for your client. If you are unsure, then ask your client to get a printout of the student's account from the school. That is really the only way to verify the amounts that were actually paid during the year.

[AZ-Tax]

Ok, I have the 1098-T and I have a supplement amt..

I have the 1098-T as mentioned in my first post and my client on his tax organizer gave me supplement amt for "books" paid of $400. Enter his books gives him a $400 deduction while the form 1098-T generates an error in my software.

[Gretel]

See prior posts on this subject to the fact that these forms are worthless and the only way knowing what was paid is to get a print out from the school.