94 toyota corolla was having trouble starting, would turn over but not catch. When it does start and is driven it sputters some, if gas is applied harder it sputters more. could this be the fuel filter?

check your plugs and coil if you have fire check fuel pump to see if your getting the right amount of gas do you have a check engine light code

may need a mass sir flow sensor or possibaly a tps sensor but it will have to be scanned with diagnostic tool to know for sure

Could it have timing belt issue?

This vehicle does not use points, it has a solid state magnetic pick up to trigger ignition. Try changing the air filter. A dirty air filter can put the MAF ( mass airflow sensor) out of range.

check Hall sensors

take the distriburter cap off and clean it with a rag or replace it.

check battery first, if engine spins but no start then check for fuel, also remove a sparkplug wire and spin engine see if there is spark, may be a fuel pump if no gas or a disturbutor or its cap if no spark, if it doesnt spin at all then may be battery or starter, hope this is helpful.

Try checking your throttle position sensor

check your engine timing

this sounds like the electric fuel pump in the fuel tank has failed, replace the pump and filter togeather.