Tax Information and Benefits

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (TRA-97) provides benefits for taxpayers who are paying for certain post-secondary educational expenses.

As part of the TRA-97 legislation, colleges and universities are required to provide information pertaining to qualified tuition and related expenses on a Form 1098-T. Bates College has contracted with Maximus to provide both electronic and paper 1098-T forms. 1098-T forms are used to determine eligibility for claiming education tax credits on federal income tax returns.

For information about the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits, the Tuition and Fees Deduction and other tax benefits for education, please visit the IRS website. 

Additional Resources

Bates cannot offer tax advice regarding your tax forms. If you have any questions, you should consult with a qualified tax professional or contact the IRS Taxpayer Assistance line at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS web site has many documents concerning TRA-97, including some self-help topics for tax filers.