American Opportunity Tax Credit- both spouses

[user17692896721]

My husband has claimed this credit once before and has been at least half time. I just started my bachelor's and applied my 1098-T, but it says I'm not eligible..? We've been married for 10 years filing jointly. This is my 1st year of bachelor's, but 3rd year overall as a full time student (earned a separate AS degree 10 yrs ago). My husband's credit goes thought but not mine? Does he need to claim my expenses? I bought a very expensive computer since it's all online along with various art supplies listed on my syllabi.

[KrisD15]

Please go through the education interview after entering your Form 1098-T carefully. 

If you need to continue your question, please tell us the amounts on your 1098-T. 

[user17692896721]

I went through the entire guided education interview and it still said I am not qualified. These are the amounts 1: $14555 5:$14802 8:×

Am I not qualified because I was given $250 extra? This is from a GI bill. It further only asks about expenses FROM the school but it doesn't ask about other required expenses. 

A the end of the questions it says this: 

"It looks like -- doesn't qualify. Here's why: somebody else can claim -- as a dependent on their return. There are no net qualified education expenses."

[KrisD15]

Yes, you have less expenses on the 1098-T (Box 1) than assistance (Box 5) so that would not generate a credit. 

The GI Bill is something you cannot claim as taxable income, it must be applied towards the tuition and fees. 

Revisit the Education section.

You should be listed as a student, select EDIT (pencil) 

Be sure to select "Had education expenses other than tuition" on the "Did you have any of these common situations in 2025?"

Continue until you can enter expenses for books and supplies. 

use the box for "Optional books" if the books were not required to be purchased from the school. (Some trade schools require certain books for their courses, but if this is a University, you can purchase from the bookstore, secondhand or Amazon. Add the computer if it was required for the course)