Student Tax Forms You’ll See: 1098-T, 1098-E, W-2, and 1099

Students often receive several IRS tax forms — the 1098-T for tuition and scholarships, 1098-E for student loan interest, and W-2 or 1099 for income. Each one reports income or expenses you’ll need to claim education tax credits when you file with FileTax.com.

What Are Student Tax Forms?

Students receive different tax forms each year reporting qualified tuition, student loan interest, or income.

Each IRS tax form reports a specific type of income or education expense—helping students claim credits or report earnings accurately.

Here’s a quick snapshot 👇

Form 1098-T: Tuition Statement

Form 1098-T (Tuition Statement) shows how much you paid for qualified tuition and how much you received in scholarships or grants. Schools send it to help you and the IRS track education expenses for tax purposes.

This form is important because it helps determine whether you can claim an education tax credit, such as the American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit.

In general:

• Box 1 reports payments made for qualified tuition and related expenses
• Box 5 reports scholarships or grants

If your payments exceed your scholarships, you may be able to claim a credit. If scholarships are higher, a portion may be taxable.

Keep in mind that the 1098-T reflects amounts reported by calendar year, which may differ from your academic billing statements.

Source: IRS Pub. 970

👉 See Education Credits guide for full eligibility rules.

Form 1098-E (Student Loan Interest Statement) reports how much interest you paid on your student loans during the year. Loan servicers send this form if you paid at least $600 in interest.

This form matters because student loan interest can reduce your taxable income, which may lower the amount of tax you owe.

You can typically find your 1098-E in your loan servicer account under a “Tax Forms” or “Statements” section if you don’t receive a paper copy.

💬 Example:
If you paid $900 in student loan interest, that amount may help reduce your taxable income when you file your return.

👉 See Student Loan Interest Deduction guide for full rules.

Form W-2: Income From Campus and Part-Time Jobs

If you worked part-time, through work-study, or on campus last year, you’ll receive a W-2. It reports your earnings and taxes withheld — essential for claiming a refund or verifying your total income.

What the W-2 Form Reports

Your Form W-2, officially called the Wage and Tax Statement, summarizes:

• Box 1: Total wages, tips, and other compensation
• Box 2: Federal income tax withheld
• Boxes 4 & 6: Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld
• Box 17: State income tax withheld, if applicable
• Employer information, including the company’s EIN (Employer Identification Number)

💡 Definition: A W-2 reports income paid to you as an employee, not as an independent contractor. If you worked for yourself (freelancing, tutoring, delivery apps), you’ll likely receive a 1099 form instead.

When You’ll Receive It

Employers must send your W-2 by January 31 each year. Most provide digital access, so check your email or payroll portal before waiting for postal mail.

If you had multiple jobs, expect a separate W-2 from each employer. Always collect all copies before filing.

📩 Tip: Employers can mark W-2s as “furnished electronically.” Look for a message in your payroll account or HR system to download your copy securely (watch for a small 🔒 locked padlock icon confirming it’s safe).

Why the W-2 Matters for Students

Your W-2 form is vital for filing accurate taxes. It:

• Reports your total income from work during the calendar year
• Shows the tax withheld by your employer—key for determining refunds
• Helps you verify whether you’re due a tax refund or owe additional taxes

💬 Example:
If you earned $5,000 from a campus café job and $250 was withheld for federal taxes, you could receive that $250 back when you file, especially if your total income is below the standard deduction threshold.

Even if you were claimed as a dependent on your parents’ return, you can still file your own return to get refunded taxes withheld from your paycheck.

Common W-2 Scenarios for Students

• Multiple Jobs: Collect all W-2 forms from each employer before filing your tax return.
• Lost W-2: Contact your employer’s HR or payroll department. You can use Form 4852 (Substitute for Form W-2) if unavailable.
• Incorrect Info: Notify your employer for a corrected Form W-2c.
• Work-Study Jobs: Yes, taxable! The school reports these wages just like any employer.

Knowing which form you receive ensures you report income correctly and avoid IRS notices for under-reported income.

🔗 Related Topics:

• Students' Tax Refunds
• Filing Taxes as a Student

Form 1099-NEC or 1099-K: Gig or Freelance Income

Did you tutor online, deliver food, or sell designs? You’ll typically get a Form 1099-NEC for direct payments or a Form 1099-K if your platform processed over $2,500 in total payments during 2025.

• 1099-NEC: for direct payments (e.g., tutoring).
• 1099-K: for app or payment platform transactions.

Self-employment income also means you may owe Social Security and Medicare taxes, so don’t skip this form when filing.

The good news is that self-employment income can also qualify for deductions on business expenses like supplies, apps, or software — lowering your taxable income.

Source: IRS, Understanding Your Form 1099-K

W-2 vs. 1099: What’s the Difference?

What Students Should Do After Receiving Tax Forms

Once you’ve received your tax forms, take a few simple steps to make sure everything is accurate and ready for filing.

First, review each form for accuracy. Check your name, Social Security number, and amounts reported. If anything looks incorrect, contact the issuer right away to request a correction.

Next, gather all income records. Make sure you have every required form, including all W-2s and any 1099s from freelance or gig work. Missing even one form can lead to underreporting income.

Then, confirm whether you need to file a tax return. Many students must file if they earned income, had taxes withheld, or qualify for a refund.

Finally, determine your eligibility for tax credits or deductions. Forms like the 1098-T and 1098-E can help you identify potential education-related tax benefits.

👉 See Filing Taxes as a Student for step-by-step filing guidance.

Avoid These Common Student Tax Mistakes

• Forgetting to include your 1098-T or 1098-E
• Reporting scholarships or grants twice
• Filing before receiving all forms
• Skipping gig income reported on 1099s
• Missing a refund by not filing your W-2

💡 Pro tip: FileTax.com flags missing or duplicate data before submission so you don’t lose refunds or credits.

Ready to File Your Student Tax Return?

You’ve got your student tax forms—now it’s time to turn them into savings.
Whether it’s a 1098-T for tuition, a 1098-E for student loan interest, or a W-2 from your campus job, every form you file helps unlock valuable educational tax credits and maximize your refund.

With FileTax.com, you don’t have to guess what goes where. Just:

1. Upload your forms (W-2, 1098-T, 1098-E, 1099—whatever you’ve got).
2. Review your deductions and credits—we’ll spot what qualifies automatically.
3. Submit securely and get your refund faster, usually within 21 days.

Filing your student tax return with FileTax.com ensures you get every deduction, credit, and refund you deserve.

If you’re still figuring out which forms apply to you, our Student Taxes guide walks you through every credit, deduction, and form in a straightforward way.