does The 4year counts year no matter I claimed on tax return? I am an international student. for 2011-2016, I did not claim the tax return. ( I was gone for military services for 2 year 2014-2016). I became a resident in tax view in 2016(as it counts 5years). for 2016, I did not work so I did not claim anything. I claimed the 2017 1098 T for the first time.