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May 17, 2021
Question

Why does my daughter, Katherine not qualify for American Opportunity Credit and a Lifetime learning Credit?

  • May 17, 2021
  • 2 replies
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2 replies

Employee
May 17, 2021
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
Hal_Al
Employee
May 17, 2021

You haven't provided any info to help answer that   question.

American Opportunity Credit (AOC) AND a Lifetime learning Credit (LLC)?  It's one or the other, you can't get both.

Grad students are eligible for the more generous AOC.

Are you claiming her as a dependent and the tuition credit or is she trying to claim it on her own return? Why do your think she does qualify?

 

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, even if you don't qualify as a dependent, 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.

 

If you are eligible,  and TT is not giving it to you, you have answered  something wrong, in the interview. But, a lot of people are just not eligible. See

https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/american-opportunity-tax-credit-questions-and-answers

 https://www.irs.gov/individuals/llc