What happens if scholarships exceed tuition on 1098-T?

If the amount in Box 5 (your scholarships) is GREATER THAN the amount in Box 1 (or Box 2, whichever is filled in on your 1098-T), then you cannot use any expenses to reduce your tax bill. You must report the excess as taxable income on your federal return.

What happens if I don’t report my 1098-T?

No, if you did the math in your head, and you did it right, the credit will be issued. If you went light on the tuition expense, and you were still eligible for the full credit, the additional tuition would not matter if you had nothing more to match it to.

Can you get in trouble for not filing 1098-T?

The penalties are: $30 per form if you correctly file within 30 days, maximum penalty $250,000 per year ($75,000 for small businesses). $100 per form if you file after August 1 or do not file Form 1098-T, maximum penalty $1,500,000 per year ($500,000 for small businesses).

Do I have to report scholarships and grants on taxes?

Grants and scholarships are tax free, meaning they’re excluded from your gross income, if the following criteria is met: You are pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university. The award doesn’t exceed your qualified education expenses, such as tuition.

What happens if I don’t report my scholarship?

Colleges will eventually discover when a student fails to report a scholarship. Colleges have many ways of learning about the scholarships won by their students. Some scholarship providers send the check directly to the college, or make it co-payable to the student and college.

What happens if you have left over scholarship money?

What happens to leftover scholarship dollars. If you earned scholarships and grants that amount to more than your total cost of attendance, your school may send you a refund. Keep in mind, you may have to pay taxes on that amount.

Does a 1098-T increase refund?

Your 1098-T may qualify you for education-related tax benefits like the American Opportunity Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, or the Tuition and Fees Deduction. If the credit amount exceeds the amount of tax you owe, you can receive up to $1,000 of the credit as a refund.

How much does a 1098-T help with taxes?

A form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, is used to help figure education credits (and potentially, the tuition and fees deduction) for qualified tuition and related expenses paid during the tax year. The Lifetime Learning Credit offers up to $2,000 for qualified education expenses paid for all eligible students per return.

Does grant money count as income?

If you’ve received one of the grants mentioned above and used the money appropriately, the grant money is not taxable. Since its money you’ll need to pay back, the amount isn’t included in income. If you’re currently paying back your student loans, you may qualify for the student loan interest deduction.

Is leftover scholarship money taxable?

If you have scholarship money left over after covering your qualified education expenses, you must include that amount as part of your gross taxable income. That means scholarship money used to pay: Rent or board.