American opportunity tax credit

[lemman10]

I just realized after I filed that I used the American opportunity credit 4 times already. Will the IRS catch that or not and if the do will they automatically change it to lifetime credit? There is a $500 difference and I apparently cannot file amended until it is processed.

[Hal_Al]

Q. Will the IRS catch that and if the do will they automatically change it to lifetime credit? 

A. Probably not. At least not now.  They will eventually catch it, down the road. 

So, just wait for your 1st return to be processed. Then, file the amended return.  You are eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit instead of the  American opportunity tax credit.