college credit

[JimTaxes]

college credit. .there was no 1098-T for 2019.. asked client.. on 2018 box was checked for classes starting in 1st three months of 2019 ... student graduated in may of 2019 and no 2019 1098-T. they said they wrote a check in january of 2019, we took AOC in 2018.. for 2019 does that 2019 tax payment count even though no 1098-T for 2019.. the 2018 has the box checked for 1st three months of 2019

[Possi]

This is just me.... but that, for me, has been a high audit area. I must have the 1098T AND the full Bursar's report (a detail from the student's account) in order to take the education credit. We'll see if anyone else chimes in, but it might be just us today. 

I did go to church this morning... just sayin', y'all. 

[Lion EA]

Did you already use AOC for four years? Do you have the bursar's statement?

I might chance it on the bursar's statement showing a 2019 payment plus the 2018 with 2019 expenses billed. But, make sure you didn't use 2019 check on 2018 return. In fact, without the 1098-T, I'd review all the way back to freshman year to make sure you took paid and not billed and didn't use the AOC on four returns and...really do your DD and keep copies of 2019/2018 info.

Explain to client the risk of receiving an IRS letter and to keep all documentation and returns from freshman year forward, and let them make decision, if you are willing.

[JimTaxes]

thank you.. this type of straddling years has always been tricky in my mind and the 1098-T can lack clarity