1098-T Frequently Asked Questions - Jamestown Community College

1098-T Frequently Asked Questions
Jamestown Community College
1098-T’s Issued in January 2013
For 2012 Tax Year
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires colleges and universities to report “qualified tuition and fees”
on a 1098-T. 1098-T’s must be issued in January of each year for the previous tax/calendar year.
Jamestown Community College JCC reports charges that were BILLED during the 2012 calendar year.
This information may not reflect what a student PAID during 2012.
The reporting of the financial data on the 1098-T has created some confusion among our students as to
what these amounts represent, and JCC is providing the following information as a service to our
students. Please be aware that the responsibility for your individual tax circumstances rests with
the taxpayer alone, and JCC cannot take any responsibility for your interpretation of this
information. If you have questions or need further assistance please contact your tax advisor or refer to
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 970 at http://www.irs.gov/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Form 1098-T:
1. What is a Form 1098-T and why do I need one?
2. When will I receive my 1098-T?
3. Where can I obtain additional information about this form?
4. Is this form a bill?
5. Is this form a source of income that I must include on my tax forms?
6. How is the amount determined?
7. How do I read my 2012 Form 1098-T?
8. Who do I contact if I think the information is incorrect?
9. I’m a parent. Can I have my student’s 1098-T form sent to me?
10. Can I access my 1098-T online?
11. Why is it that I don’t have any information on the Form 1098-T or I never received a Form 1098-T
in the mail?
12. Why do my records not match the tuition and fee payments reflected on my Form 1098-T?
What is a Form 1098-T and why do I need one?
All eligible educational institutions must file a Form 1098-T to report information to the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) for the amount billed to you by JCC over the course of the previous
calendar year The purpose of the 1098-T is to help you and/or your tax professional determine if
you are eligible for an Education Tax Credit. Please note that your 1098-T form may not provide
all of the information you need to determine eligibility for tax credits and deductions. Eligibility
for any tax benefit depends upon your individual facts and circumstances and the JCC cannot
provide you with any tax advice. Please note: Only qualified expenses in the fiscal year they are
BILLED are recorded on the form.
When will I receive my 1098-T?
For those who opt to access their 1098-T forms electronically, forms will be available sometime
prior to January 31. For those opting to receive a paper form, 1098-Ts will be mailed by January
31 to qualifying students’ permanent addresses.

Where can I obtain additional information about this form?
You should refer to IRS tax form 8863 and Publication 970 when completing your forms. If you
are experiencing difficulty completing the form, JCC urges you to contact your accountant, tax
preparer, or the Internal Revenue Service regarding the application of this form to your taxes.
Employees of the JCC cannot provide tax advice
Is this form a bill?
No, it is not a bill nor a request for payment.
Is this form a source of income that I must include on my tax forms?
No, this form is a statement of the amount of qualified expenses BILLED during the 2012
calendar year. However, while not an income reporting form, if scholarships and grants exceed
qualified expenses then this may be considered reportable income. You should consult your tax
advisor to make this determination.
How is the amount determined?
See How do I read a 1098-T Form – Box 2 below
How do I read my 2012 Form 1098-T?
Below is a sample form and descriptions for boxes 1-9.
Box 1. Please note Box 1 is intentionally left blank. JCC reports tuition billed and not payments
received. For information regarding total payments made to your student account, please go
https://banner.sunyjcc.edu
Box 2. Shows the total amounts BILLED in 2012 for qualified tuition and related expenses less any
reductions in charges made during 2012 that relate to those amounts billed during 2012.
The following qualified expenses will be included in the 2012 1098 T:
A. Spring 2012 Summer 2012
B. Fall 2012
C. If you registered and were billed for Spring 2013 BEFORE January 1, 2013
If, on the other hand, you registered for the Spring, 2013 semester ON or AFTER January, 2013,
these expenses will be reported in the 2013 1098-T that you will receive in January, 2014.

Decreases in amounts due on a student’s account due to scholarship payments, student payments or
other payments are not included in the Box 2 amount.
Please note that when an Education Tax Credit is taken on the federal income tax return, the calculation
of the credit is based on the amount of qualified educational expenses actually paid by the taxpayer
during the calendar year. The college reports amounts billed to a student’s account. Therefore, the
amount you use to calculate your education credit may not necessarily be the same as the amount that
appears in Box 2.
The following categories of charges are included or not included in qualified tuition and related expenses:
Included
Tuition
General College Fees
Special Class Fees
Course/Lab Fees
Technology Fee
Student Activity Fee
Not Included
Fines
Health Insurance Premiums/Health Fee
Credit by Exam/ Prior Learning Credit Fee
Tuition Installment Plan Fee
Room and Board Charges
Course Related Books & Equipment
Registration fees paid for non-credit courses
Phys Ed Lab Fee
Box 3. JCC did not change its method of reporting, therefore this box is left blank
Box 4 of Form 1098-T reports adjustments made to qualified tuition and related expenses reported on a
prior year Form 1098-T in Box 2. The amount reported in Box 4 represents a reduction in tuition billed
during a prior calendar year. For example, if you were billed for Spring semester classes in December
and withdrew from classes in January, Box 4 reports the decrease in billed tuition due to the
withdrawal. The amount reported in Box 4 for adjustments to qualified tuition and related expenses
may reduce any allowable education credit you may claim for the prior year. See IRS Form 8863 or IRS
Publication 970 for more information
Box 5. This box contains the sum of all scholarships JCC administered and processed for the student’s
account during the calendar year. Scholarships that pay for tuition (qualified scholarships) as well as for
housing, books, and other expenses (non-qualified scholarships) will be included in this amount. Tuition
waivers and payments received from third parties that are applied to student accounts for educational
expenses are included in this box. The amount of scholarships or grants for the calendar year may
reduce the amount of the education credit you claim for the year.
Box 6 of Form 1098-T reports adjustments made to scholarships or grants reported on a prior year Form
1098-T in Box 4. The amount reported in Box 6 represents a reduction in scholarships or grants
reported for a prior calendar year. The amount reported in Box 6 for adjustments to scholarships or
grants may affect the amount of any allowable tuition and fees deduction or education credit you may
claim for the prior year.
Box 7. This box will be checked if the amount reported in Box 2 includes tuition or qualified amounts
billed to a student account in the current year that pay for a semester beginning in the next calendar
year. For example, tuition billed in December 2012 for Spring 2013 will be reported on a 2012 1098-T.
Box 7 will be checked to indicate that this is the case

Box 8. Shows whether you are considered to be carrying at least one-half the normal full-time workload
for your course of study at the reporting institution. If you are at least a half-time student for at least
one academic period that begins during the year, you meet one of the requirements for the American
opportunity credit. You do not have to meet the workload requirement to qualify for the lifetime
learning credit.
Box 9. Shows whether you are considered to be enrolled in a program leading to a graduate degree,
graduate-level certificate, or other recognized graduate-level educational credential. This box will be
blank.
Box 10. Shows the total amount of reimbursements or refunds of qualified tuition and related expenses
made by an insurer. This box will be blank
Who do I contact if I think the information is incorrect?
It is important to remember that the amount on this form consists of charges assessed by JCC in
a calendar year. Contact the Business Office at (716) 338-1000.
I’m a parent. Can I have my student’s 1098-T form sent to me?
Students must make all information requests. The student is responsible for providing
information to other parties in accordance with FERPA (Family Education Right to Privacy Act).
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.
Can I access my 1098-T online?
To retrieve your 1098-T electronically:
- Launch a web browser and go to http://tra.vangent.com (note: Internet Explorer 9 users may
need to use “Compatibility View”)
- Click the “First Time Students” Button.
- Enter your full First and Last names and the last 5 digits of your Social Security Number.
- Click Submit.
- If records are present for you, you will be instructed to create an account. Follow the
instructions on the website to create a free account and retrieve your 1098-T. If records are
not found for you or you have difficulty creating account, use the “Help” link in the left menu.
If you cannot access your 1098-T online, then please call Vangent Customer Service at 800-223-
0043
Remember, by acknowledging that you are receiving this form electronically, a hard copy form will
not be mailed to you. However, you can go to the website as often as needed to retrieve a copy.
Why is it that I don’t have any information on the Form 1098-T or I never received a Form 1098-T in
the mail?
JCC is not required to file Form 1098-T or furnish a statement for:
If your billed amounts consisted of only non-credit courses, even if the student is otherwise
enrolled in a degree program.
International (foreign) students who are not U.S. residents for tax purposes (who have
not been in the U.S. less than 5 years)

Students classified as non-resident aliens.
If you paid for your enrollment fees, but dropped all your classes and received a
refund during that calendar year, then you would not receive a Form 1098-T.
JCC does not have your Social Security Number - this information is required for Form 1098-
T reporting (make sure you provide us with this information).
If your address on record is out-of-date, your Form 1098-T may have been returned.
Why do my records not match the tuition and fee payments reflected on my Form 1098-T?
When reviewing your records, please take into consideration actual registration dates in order
to reconcile your records in the amounts on the form. The 1098-T form reflects charges
and refunds made in the calendar year. Charges made in previous or future years are not
included (see “How do I read my 1098-T, Box 2). The following expenses do not qualify as tuition
and related expenses (Box 2) for community colleges: 1) Remote Registration Fee; 2) books; 3)
parking permits.