Millions of students face tax season in 2026. What to know about credits, income, and filing rules.

Last year, the number of postsecondary education students reached 18.4 million. That means 15.3 million college students and 3.1 million graduate students might be wondering if they have to file their taxes before the deadline.
For many students, filing taxes is a new and often confusing responsibility. Between part-time jobs and scholarships, plus being claimed as a dependent on a parent’s return, knowing whether to file — and how — can be intimidating.
While most student tax situations are relatively straightforward, understanding a few key rules can help you know when you have to file, avoid mistakes, and, in some cases, lead to a larger refund.
Do college students have to file taxes?
The answer is: It depends. Whether a college student must file a federal tax return depends primarily on dependency status and income.
Understanding dependency status
Whether or not your parents can claim you as a dependent plays a major role in determining your tax-filing obligations and eligibility for tax benefits. Parents may generally claim a student as a dependent if the student:
-
Is under age 24 and enrolled full time
-
Lives with the parent when not at school
-
Receives more than half of their financial support from the parent
For example, a 22-year-old student earning $4,500 who lives at home and relies on his parents for support may still be claimed as a dependent. However, if that student pays for most of their own housing, food, and expenses, they may no longer qualify as a dependent.
Understanding income requirements
Even as a full-time student, you can make an income with a part-time job or side gig. According to the Internal Revenue Service, for the 2025 tax year (filed on April, 15, 2026), a dependent student generally must file if they have:
-
Earned income of at least $15,750
-
Self-employment income of $400 or more (if you’re a freelancer, for example)
-
Unearned income exceeding $1,350 (from sources such as investments or trusts). An example is the “kiddie tax”: a dependent who earns $2,700 or more in interest, dividends, and other unearned income may be subject to tax. In some cases, parents may be able to claim this income on their own returns.
Let’s look at a few examples.
A full-time student who earns $10,000 from a part-time job typically is not required to file. However, if federal income tax was withheld from their paycheck, filing a return may allow them to claim a refund.
A student who earns $600 through freelance work on platforms such as Fiverr is required to file, as self-employment income over $400 is subject to tax.
Tax tip: Students can use the IRS “Do I need to file a tax return?” tool to determine whether they need to file.
Should students file even if they’re not required to?
Some students may benefit from filing a tax return even if their income falls below filing thresholds. Situations where filing may be smart include:
-
Claiming a refund of withheld taxes
-
Qualifying for education credits (see more on this below)
-
Eligibility for refundable credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit
For example, a student who earns $7,500 during a summer job may not be required to file, but might want to because they could receive a refund if taxes were withheld.
Are scholarships taxable?
Generally speaking, scholarships and grants aren’t considered taxable income. The IRS offers some basic guidelines to determine whether scholarship money is tax-free. You must meet the following conditions:
-
You are seeking a degree at a qualified educational institution.
-
Your scholarship income is used to pay for tuition and fees required to be enrolled at the educational institution.
-
Your scholarship income is used to pay for related expenses that come with attending the college or university, like required fees, books, supplies, and equipment.
On the flip side, scholarship money can be taxable if it’s used for incidental expenses such as room and board, travel, and optional equipment. The IRS also says that taxable income includes money you receive from “teaching, research, or other services required as a condition for receiving the scholarship or fellowship grant.”
For example, if a student receives a $15,000 scholarship and uses $10,000 for tuition and $5,000 for housing, the $5,000 used for housing must be reported as taxable income.
Education tax credits
Education credits are helpful for a college student because not only do they help fund your education, but they also might reduce the amount of tax you owe or even provide more of a tax refund if you have to file. You have two education credit options.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)
This credit is available for students enrolled at least half-time during an academic period in 2025 while pursuing an accredited degree at a qualified school, university, or other educational institution. Here are some AOTC details:
-
Up to $2,500 per eligible student
-
Partially refundable (up to 40%)
-
Limited to the first four years of postsecondary education
This credit is also available for parents who are paying for a dependent’s education. That said, to be eligible, the modified adjusted gross income must be less than $90,000 or $180,000 if married filing jointly.
Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)
The LLC is a nonrefundable credit and has fewer restrictions than the AOTC, as students need only to be enrolled in one course for tax year 2025 to qualify. It’s also available to students not pursuing a degree at an educational institution — you qualify by taking a course to gain or improve job skills. Here are LLC details:
-
Up to $2,000 per return
-
Nonrefundable
-
Available for an unlimited number of years, just like the name implies
One other thing to note: Unlike the AOTC, a felony drug conviction will not make a student ineligible.
To qualify, your modified adjusted gross income must meet the same standards as the AOTC — $90,000 or $180,000 if married filing jointly.
Here’s an example of these two credits at work: An undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time is more likely to qualify for the AOTC, while a graduate student or a working professional taking a single course may qualify for the LLC.
Read more: How do education tax credits work, and who qualifies?
How do graduate student taxes work?
Graduate students generally follow the same basic tax rules as undergraduate students, but their income is more likely to be taxable. One reason is that they’re less likely to be claimed as dependents.
Any graduate student receiving a stipend or earning income through teaching or research may have to file a return, depending on how much they earn. The IRS notes that only scholarship or fellowship funds used for qualified education expenses, such as tuition, required fees, books, supplies, and equipment, are tax-free. Any money used for housing, meals, or other living expenses must generally be reported as income (a few scholarship programs are excluded from these requirements).
How can students file taxes for free?
For the most part, a college student’s tax return will be fairly uncomplicated, meaning they should face a minimal amount of fees. It’s even possible to file for free. The IRS offers the following online:
-
A free guided tax software program is available for anyone with an adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less for tax year 2025.
-
Free fillable forms are for anyone confident enough to file taxes on their own.
Another option for free filing is the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This program offers basic tax assistance to individuals who make less than $69,000 annually, have disabilities, or are limited English speakers.
VITA sites can typically be found in neighborhood community centers, libraries, schools, and other locations. Find one near you by using the IRS site locator.
Some companies, like H&R Block, offer free online filing for college students — provided students are filing with the more common tax forms.
Learn more: How to file your taxes for free
College students and taxes FAQs
Do college students have to pay taxes?
College students who are full-time students and listed as dependents — between the ages of 19 and 24 — on a parent’s tax return don’t have to pay taxes. Students who make at least $15,750 (or $1,350 of unearned income) in tax year 2025 can’t file as a dependent and must complete their own tax return. Part-time students can also qualify as dependents if they didn’t make more than $5,050 in 2025 and don’t receive more than half their total financial support from their parents.
What kinds of tax breaks are there for college students?
The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) are two of the main credits available to students. The AOTC has stricter eligibility standards than the LLC, but both can provide tax credits of either $2,500 (AOTC) or $2,000 (LLC), provided students meet certain qualifications.
Is tuition tax deductible?
No — this deduction was eliminated in 2020. Credits are now the main way to save.