Entering the 1098T lowered my tax refund. Can I not include it? Is it optional? Would this cause a penalty if I did not report the information on my 1098T?

[amyy-hehe]

I am filing as an independent. No one can claim me as a dependent. Box 1 amount was smaller than Box 5 (scholarships) but no info in box 2 3 4. I guess this education credit things didn't help me get any deductions? Can I not include it? 

[ChristinaS]

You can't choose to exclude income because it lowers your refund. However....is the amount in Box 5 attributable to tuition which was reported on your 2015 1098-T? Was any of the scholarship used for room and board, food etc?

Any portion of the Box 5 that its related to Box 1 or 2 expenses (or perhaps books) is taxable. If Box 5 went towards tuition and tuition only, you can skip entering the 1098-T.

Also, did you take a tax credit on your 2015 return for tuition which was ultimately paid for with the scholarship that is on 2016's 1098-T?

The first step before knowing if you can delete the 1098-T is making sense of the situation.