American Opportunity Credit

[trent221]

I am filling out my tax form and am told I can't claim an Education tax break because one of the following may be true:

Here is why you may not qualify:

Somebody else can claim you as a dependent on their return   Scholarships, grants, and other tax free assistance exceed the education expenses   There were no net qualified education expenses

None of these are true.  What can I do now?

[Hal_Al]

Delete the 1098-T and start over.

Go through the entire education interview until you reach a screen titled "Your Education Expenses Summary".  Click delete next to the student's name.  You'll then get the "Your Education Expenses Summary" screen again.  Click the "Add a student" button and re-enter the info.

If you hit the same snag, explain, here, why you think you do qualify, providing numbers and whether you are the student or the parent. 

 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. 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.

Reference: Line 7 instructions for form 8863. https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8863