I graduated in May 2017.I only did 3 years of postsecondary education which means that I graduated in 3 years.I never claimed this credit. Am i now elegible?I'm in school

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March 17, 2021
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I am in an educational program currently. Seeing that I had only 3 years of postsecondary education and received my bachelor's, Am I elegible for the American Opportunity credit?

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The American Opportunity Credit can only be used for undergraduate school. If you are in graduate school you cannot use the AOC even if you completed your bachelors degree in less than four years. However, you can explore using the Lifetime Learning Credit or Tuition and Fees.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3262983-who-is-eligible-to-take-the-american-opportunity-tax-credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901172-what-education-tax-credits-are-available

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3262984-who-is-eligible-for-the-lifetime-learning-credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901487-what-is-the-tuition-and-fees-deduction

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Alexandria783794905Author

Thanks so much for your reply. I am not in graduate school, I'm in a post-baccalaureate program. Does that change anything? Based on the requirements on the IRS website it seems like I'm eligible (below). I wished they went in detail in regard to the 4 year rule.

Q12. Who is an eligible student for the American opportunity tax credit?

A. For the American opportunity tax credit, an eligible student is a student who: (1) is enrolled in a program leading toward a degree, certificate or other recognized post-secondary educational credential; (2) has not completed the first four years of post-secondary education as of the beginning of the taxable year; (3) for at least one academic period is carrying at least ½ of the normal full-time workload for the course of study the student is pursuing; and (4) has not been convicted of a felony drug offense.