Education Tax Credits

Resources for Colleges and Universities

• General Instructions for Forms 1099, 1098, 5498, and W-26. Guidance Related to Filing, Deadlines, and Furnishing Statements to Students.
• IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education. This publication details the various tax benefits related to education and assists taxpayers seeking to claim federal education tax benefits.
• IRS Notice 2006-72, Guidance Responding to Frequently Asked Questions about 1098-T Reporting (September, 2006)
• Final Rules on 1098-T Reporting. The final regulations governing information reporting of amounts of qualified tuition and related expenses paid to or billed by higher education institutions (December 2002).
• Final Rules on Education Tax Credits. The final rules related to taxpayer eligibility for the Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits. (December 2002).

Forms and Filing Instructions

• Form 8863, Education Credits (PDF)
• Form 1098-T, Tuition Payments Statement (PDF)
• Form 1098-T and 1098-E Instructions, Tuition Payments Statement and Interest Payment Instructions (PDF)
• Form W-9S, Request for Student’s or Borrower’s Social Security Number and Certification (PDF)

Resources For Students

Students and families interested in finding out more about the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and Lifetime Learning tax credits, and other education-related tax provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 may find the following consumer information pieces useful.

• Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education. For an explanation of all the federal tax benefits that help pay for college.
• IRS Form 8863, Education Credits (PDF)This is the form you need to file with your 1040. Instructions are included.

If you have additional questions about your eligibility for the education tax credits, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040 or consult your tax advisor. Colleges and universities are generally not able to provide students and families with tax advice.