Can’t I qualify for any education credit? I earned USELESS BA in 1999 at College A, then full time as certificate student at College B. Didn’t earn in College A and now?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
July 11, 2020
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Back in the 90’s I worked but my father claimed me as dependent living under his roof. I never qualified for any government help. Now 20 years later, I STILL don’t qualify now because of my degree?! Makes no sense because I AM a lifelong learner yet because Im not going into a graduate degree I don’t qualify? Please explain what I can qualify for.

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Hal_Al

Employee

You do not qualify for the more generous (and partially refundable) American Opportunity Credit (AOC) because you have completed 4 years of college.

You do (apparently) qualify for Tuition and Fees deduction (TFD) or Lifetime Learning Credit(LLC). You don't have to be working on a degree (graduate or other) but you do have to be attending an eligible institution and taking the courses for credit (the course is degree eligible even if you are not pursuing a degree) or the course is job related. These deduction/credit can help reduce your tax liability, but will not get you additional money (they're non refundable)

Reference:

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/llc

https://www.thebalance.com/tuition-and-fees-deduction-3193024

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p970