1098-T Tax Form

[ninod]

Can someone tell me if I need an IRS 1098-T Tax Form if I'm paying for everything out of my pocket at UExcel?

[dfrecore]

Yes - especially if you're paying out of pocket.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/col.../L3SqH8fg0

[ninod]

Thank you.

What's the difference between using their 1098-T form versus just submitting my own receipts for the tax return (if I'm paying out of pocket anyway)?

[allvia]

Not all expenses are eligible expenses - https://www.excelsior.edu/costs-and-fina...statement/

This is the same for any school.  In the example you give; courses taken through Excelsior (cornerstone/capstone) would be eligible expenses resulting in you receiving a 1098-T (they had to be mailed, or available electronically, to you no later than Jan 31st).  However, you specifically mentioned UExcel (https://www.excelsior.edu/exams/uexcel) which are Exams for Credit - they are likely not eligible expenses, and therefore you would not receive a 1098-T from Excelsior that includes them.

If you think you should have received a 1098-T but did not you should contact the school (Excelsior).

Most all alternative credit sources, such as credit by exam and the alternative (ACE/NCCRS) providers we talk about here, are not 1098-T eligible expenses.  

Your question was specific to the 1098-T, you cannot substitute your receipt totals for 1098-T amount(s). In other words if you are doing your own taxes and the software asks you to enter the amount from your 1098-T(s) do not enter in anything other than what you have on a true 1098-T form.  That is not to say that some of your out of pocket expenses cannot be applied to reduce your taxes; you would have to speak to an accountant or professional tax preparer to see if those receipted expenses apply elsewhere.