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March 28, 2024
Question

Why am I not getting my Lifetime Learning Credit if I make less than 90,000?

  • March 28, 2024
  • 2 replies
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I looked through the IRS explanations about the Lifetime Learning Credit, and even though I qualify turbo tax is not even giving me the option to claim it. Why is that? 

    2 replies

    March 28, 2024

    Revisit the Education section and go over the questions again to make sure you didn't miss anything.

    You can take the Lifetime Learning Credit every year as long as you meet all of these qualifying requirements:

    • You, your dependent, or a third party paid qualified education expenses for higher education at an eligible educational institution
    • The qualified education expenses were for an eligible student
    • The eligible student is you, your spouse, or a dependent on your tax return
    • For the full credit, your 2023 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $90,000 ($180,000 if you are filing jointly)
      • For a reduced credit, your MAGI is between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 and $180,000 if you're filing jointly)

     

    Qualified expenses are tuition and certain related expenses required for enrollment at an eligible institution.

    The course must be either part of a post-secondary degree program or be taken to acquire or improve job skills.

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    YD007Author
    March 28, 2024

    ok now I see they gave me $121  break, but I profile my taxes with the IRS direct file pilot and they say I owe less money that what Turbo Tax is saying. How can that be? Also I didn't file any school tuition with the IRS direct file pilot, and still is less money so how can that make sense?

    Hal_Al
    Employee
    March 28, 2024

     The Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) is a non refundable credit. That is, it can only be used to offset an actual tax liability.