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March 4, 2021
Question

Is my husband who has degree from India eligible to claim American Opportunity Tax credit in US for a Post graduate course? This is his first degree in US.

  • March 4, 2021
  • 2 replies
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This will be the first year we are filing taxes in US and we will be filing jointly. AGI is less than $60000 jointly.

2 replies

Hal_Al
Employee
March 4, 2021

No, because he has completed the first 4 years of post secondary education. 

 

Graduate work is eligible for the less generous (and non refundable) Lifetime Learning Credit. 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/llc

 

March 4, 2021

No. Your husband cannot claim the American Opportunity credit if he has completed four or more years of post-secondary education.

 

To be eligible for AOTC, the student must:

  • Be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential
  • Be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period beginning in the tax year
  • Not have finished the first four years of higher education at the beginning of the tax year
  • Not have claimed the AOTC or the former Hope credit for more than four tax years
  • Not have a felony drug conviction at the end of the tax year

The law does not specify that the four years have to be in the US, so he is ineligible for the AOTC if he has completed four or more years of post-secondary education anywhere in the world.

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