1098T Frequently Asked Questions

What is Form 1098-T?
The IRS requires Wayne State University to report, both to the student and the IRS, certain summary financial information for students who meet IRS reporting criteria. This information is provided to assist students in determining their eligibility for certain educational tax credits.

Form 1098-T includes any payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses, as well as scholarships and grants credited to your account between January 1^st and Dec 31^st of the tax year you are viewing.

Transactions in the calendar year are reported as follows:

Box 1: Payments received for Qualified Tuition & Related Expenses (QTRE). Payments, up to total QTRE, are reported.

Total QTRE is calculated by adding prior and current year QTRE, minus prior year year payments reported.
Payments is calculated by adding total payments, minus total refunds, for the calendar year.

Box 4: Adjustments to Payments reported for the prior year

Box 5: Grants and scholarships including:

WSU administered grants & scholarships
Federal grants
External/private scholarships
Third party payments from governmental and private entities

Box 6: Adjustments to scholarships or grants for a prior year

Why did I get a Form 1098-T?
The University is required to provide you and the IRS with financial information regarding payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses (QTRE), scholarships and grants that were actually paid in the current tax year on Form 1098-T.

2018 Change to reporting requirments?
In 2017 and prior, Wayne State University reported qualified QTRE in Box 2. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now mandates that institutions are to report payments, rather than charges. Thus WSU no longer reports Box 2 amounts, effective 1/1/2018. Internal Revenue Code requires payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses (QTRE) be reported in Box 1 of the Form 1098-T.

The amount reported is the total amount of payments received less any reimbursements or refunds made during the calendar year that relate to the payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses during the same calendar year.

Why are you not reporting Box 2?
The tax law changed effective 1/1/2018.

How will I receive my Form 1098-T?
For students who did not consent to Paperless Delivery of your Tax Forms, the 1098-T will be mailed by January 31^st of the reported tax year. Students can also access the 1098-T electronically in their Student Account Dashboard by selecting Tax Forms.

What is Paperless Delivery and how do I enroll?
Paperless Delivery of Tax Forms is a feature available to students in their Student Account Dashboard. By enrolling in paperless delivery, students consent to only having the 1098-T form available electronically. Terms and Conditions of Paperless Delivery are below:

By clicking the acceptance box below, you agree to receive your IRS FORM 1098-T electronically and understand that a paper copy will not be mailed to you. If you do not agree to electronic delivery, do not click the acceptance box below and a paper copy of your 1098-T will be mailed to you by U.S. Mail. The following terms apply to your 1098-T:

To access your electronic 1098-T please log in to your Student Account Dashboard and select Tax Forms. After giving consent to receive the form online, if you would like a paper copy of the 1098-T you may print a copy from your Student Account Dashboard or contact Student Accounts Receivable to request a copy; such request will not be considered a withdrawal of consent for electronic delivery.
This consent will continue to apply to every year you are eligible to receive a 1098-T from Wayne State University unless you later withdraw your consent. You may withdraw your consent at any time by changing your 1098-T electronic delivery enrollment status on your Student Account Dashboard to "Decline." If the change is successful, you will receive a confirmation email. The withdrawal will be effective from that date forward and will not apply to any 1098-T previously provided under this consent.

Can you mail my Form 1098-T to my parents?
The original copy is sent to the student's mailing address. You may access your form online, download a copy and send it to your parents or send them your original.

What is considered Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses (QTRE)?
Tuition, fees and required course materials. For more information see IRS Publication 970 - Educational Tax Benefits

How do I find the payments I made during 2018?
Directly below Form 1098-T in Academica is a section labeled "Supplemental Information". This information is used to calculate amounts reported in each of the 1098-T boxes. All payments and refunds received in 2018 are listed and used in the calcuation.

Are the payments listed in Box 1 the amount I will use on my tax return?
The amount provided in Box 1 serves as a resource to you when you complete your Form 1040. Consult your tax professional who can help you calculate the amount you will report.

Can you give the amount of qualified tuition billed over the phone?
Student Account Receivable staff can answer general student questions about the 1098-T and what is reported. For tax preparer purposes however, please download your 1098-T Tax Form from your Student Account Dashboard.

How do I access Form 1098-T on demand?
The 1098-T form will be made available by January 31^st of each year, and will remain available in your Student Account Dashboard for three years.

Can I get a duplicate copy of my Form 1098-T for prior years?
Yes. You may access it online in Academica.

Since I received Form 1098-T from the University, do I qualify for one of the education tax credits?
Not necessarily. Consult your tax preparer to determine your eligibility.

I took courses during the most recent calendar year but did not receive an IRS Form 1098-T. Why not?
We send the IRS Form 1098-T to degree-seeking students who have data to report to the IRS. If there is nothing to report, forms are not issued. We also receive many returned Forms 1098-T because the mailing address of the student is no longer valid. Students are encouraged to verify that their mailing address on file with WSU is accurate or update the address before the forms are mailed in January.