Skip to main content

1 reply

Hal_Al
Employee
January 14, 2021

In TurboTax (TT), enter at:

Federal Taxes Tab (Personal for H&B version)

Deductions & Credits

-Scroll down to:

--Education

  --Education Expenses

 

There's a new urban myth among college students that says they can get a $1000 from the government just for filing a tax form. For most of them, they simply aren't eligible. A full time unmarried student, under age 24, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. You usually must have actually paid tuition, not had it paid by scholarships & grants.  It is usually best if the parent claims that credit. 

You cannot claim a credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else.

 

 For full rules see  https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC

or (for the less generous credit)  https://www.irs.gov/individuals/llc

 

You can use this IRS tool https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/am-i-eligible-to-claim-an-education-credit