Filing for 2022 as a college student

[Taxes_Are_Fun]

Can someone (like a college student) who didn't file taxes for tax year 2022, but filed recently for the first time for tax year 2023, still file for 2022? This is in order to try and get the American opportunity tax credit (AOTC) for 2022 retroactively. There was no income in 2022, which means it can be 40% of the $2500, i.e. $1000. The student started as a freshman in September of 2022, so there were educational expenses for the 1st semester. And will the IRS still pay it in a form of a tax refund now even though it's for tax year 2022? And can this be done using TurboTax online?

[DMarkM1]

First, you cannot claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) if you were claimed as as dependent on someone's tax return (your parent's typically).  In other words you had to pay the education expenses out of your pocket.  With zero income you were likely a dependent in 2022 and didn't pay education expenses out of your pocket.  

Here is a link with more information on education credits.

Having said that, theoretically, you could be living on loans, for example, and not be a dependent and paid education expenses out of your pocket.  In that case you could file a 2022 return with a form 1098-T from your school to claim an AOTC. You will not be able to e-file it with zero income.  You can however, prepare and print it with TurboTax.  Here is a link for prior year products.