Tax incentives exist for families who are saving for college, are already paying for college, or who are repaying student loans. The 1098-T tax form is provided for your use in preparing your tax returns. It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to determine eligibility for any tax credits. Students who are being claimed by family or someone else for tax purposes can download the form and send it to that person. Visit the IRS Tax Benefits for Education Information Center for more information.

Social Security Number/Tax Identification Number Requirement

Students are required to provide a Social Security number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification number (TIN) to the University of Colorado Boulder for tax purposes (Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code). If we do not have a U.S. SSN or TIN for you, the Office of the Registrar will send you an email twice a year requesting that you mail, fax or hand-deliver a completed and signed Social Security Number/Taxpayer Identification Number Update Form  to the Office of the Registrar. Do not email SSN/TIN information. Email is not secure.

What We Report on the 1098-T Form

We report Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses paid (Box 1). We are required to indicate whether the student was enrolled at least half time for one semester during the calendar year. The IRS also requires the university to indicate if the student was enrolled exclusively in graduate level courses. If this indicator is marked, it could mean the student is not eligible for the American Opportunity Credit. For more information, please consult a tax advisor.

For details, see 1098-T Boxes Explained and FAQs.

How to Get the 1098-T Form

1098-T forms will be in Buff Portal by Jan. 31. No forms are mailed. (See Consent to Conduct Business Electronically.)

  1. Students log in to Buff Portal and search for 1098T. 
  2. Click “View/Download 1098T.”
  3. Click on the year you want.
  4. Select the form you want to see and click "View."
  5. You may need to disable the pop-up blocker on your browser to access the form.

Students who are being claimed by family or someone else for tax purposes can download the form and send it to that person.

International Students

  • 1098-T forms are not automatically generated for international students in the United States on a temporary visa. If you need one, you can request a 1098-T in the Bursar's Office.
  • If you have received a 1042-S form, you do not need to call the Bursar's Office. Instead, see 1042-S Form (Nonresident International Employee Tax Statement) on the Employee Services website.

See Income Tax Obligations of International Students and Scholars.

Social Security Number/Tax Identification Number Requirement

Students are required by federal law (Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code) to provide a Social Security number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification number (TIN) to the University of Colorado Boulder for tax purposes. If we do not have a U.S. SSN or TIN for you, the Office of the Registrar will send you an email twice a year requesting that you mail, fax or hand-deliver a completed and signed Social Security Number/Taxpayer Identification Number Update Form  to the Office of the Registrar.

Do not email SSN/TIN information. Email is not secure.