Hello, I am a full time student and did not work in 2023. The only form I received is 1098T. Do I have to file taxes?

[KrisD15]

If you are a dependent, the person that claims you can use the 1098-T for an education credit if Box 1 is more than Box 5. 

If Box 5 (scholarships) is more than box 1 (tuition) you might need to file and claim the difference as taxable income.

If you are not a dependent, you also might need to report Form 1098-T for a credit or to report taxable income. 

Can you tell us if you are or are not a dependent?

What is reported in Box 1 and Box 5 on the 1098-T? 

Are you an undergrad student?

[maglib]

@bhr615 Do you have any unearned income like dividends and interest, capital gains?
Are you claimed as a dependent by your parents? Do they benefit from claiming any of the education tax credits like American Opportunity Tax Credit? Your parents can claim the 1098-T which depending on income levels they may qualify.
Do you have any scholarships that exceed your tuition, room & Board reported on the 1098-T?
If you have any income such as the above as a dependent over $1,050 you would still need to file.

There are ways where your parents if they qualify can claim the education expenses, while you report the income.  A bit more advanced and depends on your and your parents circumstances.

[bhr615]

@maglib Thank you for your reply! I am not a dependent on my parents taxes or have any unearned income currently. I also did not receive a scholarship that exceeds my tuition. 

[DawnC]

Based on what you said, you do not have to file a return unless one of these uncommon situations apply:  

You also must file a federal return if:

• You had $400 or more in self-employment net earnings (gross income minus expenses)
• You had marketplace health insurance and you received advance payments for the premium tax credit
• You (or your spouse if filing jointly) received health savings account, Archer MSA, or Medicare Advantage MSA distribution
• You had wages of $108.28 or more from a church or qualified church-controlled organization that is exempt from employer social security and Medicare taxes
• You owe any special taxes, including any of the following:
  • Alternative minimum tax
  • Additional tax on a qualified plan, including an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), or other tax-favored account
  • Household employment taxes
  • Social security and Medicare tax on tips you didn't report to your employer or on wages you received from an employer who didn't withhold these taxes
  • Uncollected social security and Medicare or RRTA tax on tips you reported to your employer or on group-term life insurance and additional taxes on health savings accounts
  • Recapture taxes

[Hal_Al]

 You do not have to file a tax return just because you got a 1098-T. The 1098-T is only an informational document. The numbers on it are not required to be entered onto your tax return. However receipt of a 1098-T frequently means you are either eligible for a tuition credit or possibly the student has taxable scholarship income. 

How old are you and how do you support yourself, if you are not a dependent?

If you are a student, over age 23, and are not claimed as a dependent by someone else (e.g. your parent) you may be eligible for the up to $1000 refundable American Opportunity (tuition) Credit, by "filing" your 1098-T.

[maglib]

If no other income over the standard exemption then no you are not required to pay. Do note though that reporting scholarships and grants as income though as a not a dependent or not claimed can create earned income for being able to invest in Roth IRA's or get AOTC's or some states earned income credits.

But , you are NOT required to file if no unearned and no earned income in the US as 1098-T is just informational.