Unemployed College Student. Do I need to file

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
May 31, 2019
3 replies
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I been going to college full time since 2010 and have lived solely off of student loans. With having no income should I still file taxes? I haven't but know you can file 3 to 4 years back. If so should I just print out my financial aid award letters from the previous years

Hal_Al

Employee

No. You are not required to file.

But there is a case when you may want to file. If you cannot be claimed as a dependent on anybody else's return, and you are over age 23, at the end of the tax year, you may be able to claim an (up to) $1000 refundable education credit.

You should not need your financial aid info, unless you have taxable scholarships & grants (loans are neither). Taxable scholarships & grants are those used to pay "non-qualified" expenses (anything except tuition, academic fees and books). Room and board are "non-qualified" expenses.

theblizzardofozzAuthor

Employee

Ok, I am 32 and does the pell grant count as a "non qualified"expense.

bandit9420

I am a full time student without income. I am 42 and want to know how to file tax return without income and get my stimulus check can anyone help me please?

SweetieJean

Employee

See http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/General-Tax-Tips/Do-You-Have-to-Claim-Pell-Grant-Money...to see what you have to do in your situation.

RyanMckiver

I'm 32 with no income for 2020 but was a full time student. How do I get my second stimulus? I had income last year but none this year and I have to file in order to receive my second stimulus? Need help

Hal_Al

Employee

Yes, you have to file a tax return to get the stimulus.

"In essence, the 2 stimulus checks act as an advance of your 2020 income tax refund. This means when you prepare your 2020 income tax return, there will be a line to include the section 6428 credit (line 30 on the 2020 form 1040). The credit on your 2020 return is subtracted by any amount received as a stimulus check in 2020. If the amount you received as a stimulus check is less than the credit you are due, the difference will be included as part of your 2020 refund. If you have been overpaid by receiving the stimulus check, however, you will not be required to return any excess amount".

Under the CARES Act, if you are claimed, or qualify to be claimed, as a dependent on someone else’s 2019 (or 2018) return you cannot receive a stimulus check, in 2020. If you qualified as a dependent for 2019, but will not be for 2020, you will most likely get it in 2021, when you file a 2020 tax return.

If you have no income, you have to mail in a paper tax return. Some people advise that you report $1 of interest income, so that you can e-file.