Backfiling past 1098-T taxes

[misskorea]

Hello!

I was previously a student who had no idea about taxes etc. I was a student until 2022, and I filed my 1098-T for 2022, but not for the previous years in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

How can I backfile these taxes from the previous years?

[Bsch4477]

You would have to purchase the tax programs for the years involved and file a return for those years or amend the returns for those years if you already filed them. 

[rjs]

TurboTax is no longer available for years before 2020. Tax software from other companies might be available for earlier years.

[Critter-3]

Your parents probably claimed you as a dependent until you turned 24 so they would have claimed the education credit on their tax returns.  Check with them since you can only claim the AOC 4 times ... did they already do that ?

[Hal_Al]

It depends on what  "I was previously a student who had no idea about taxes etc. I was a student until 2022, and I did not file my 1098-T for 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021" really means?

Did you not file a tax return, at all, or did you file a tax return and not include the 1098-T?

It is too late to claim a refund for tax years 2018 and 2019.   There is a three year limit. You have until April 15, 2024 to file a 2020 tax return or amended return. 

As others have said, a student who can be claimed as a dependent, is generally not allowed to claim a tuition credit, particularly the refundable American Opportunity Tax (Tuition) Credit (AOTC).  Your parents would claim it instead of you. 

Q. How can I backfile these taxes from the previous years?

A. TurboTax (TT) Online is not available for past years.  The desktop (download/CD) versions are still available for 2020-2022.  The Deluxe version is all you need. 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Your return is simple enough, you might want to try it by hand. You will need forms 1040 and 8863. 

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/prior-year

[misskorea]

My parents are not citizens — I am a LPR (green card holder) so I need to file it on my own.

[misskorea]

What does the AOC do and how does the 4 time limit impact me in this case?

[Bsch4477]

As already written, you can fle for 2020 and 2021. The credit can be taken for 4 years. 

[Hal_Al]

The AOC is a partially refundable credit.  The refundable portion is up to $1000 and it only takes $1000 of tuition to get that much.  Only undergrads are eligible.  Including the non refundable portion, the AOC can be a much as $2500.  And it only takes $4000 of tuition and other qualified expenses to get that. 

Assuming 2022 was your last year of undergrad work, the four time limit means you can go back and claim it for 2020 and 2021.  It's the 3 year time limit that disqualifies you for 2019 or earlier.  Because of your failure to file timely, you will be limited to claiming it 3 times. 

Be advised, a full time unmarried student, under age 24, even if you don't qualify as a dependent, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.