American Opportunity Tax Credit

[ehsanur007]

I am currently US permanent resident. I did my bachelor's degree outside USA. Now, I am pursing my master's degree. Am I eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit?

[xmasbaby0]

No.   The American Opportunity Tax Credit is only for undergraduate college years--not for post-graduate education.    You might be able to use the Lifetime Learning Credit.

The Lifetime Learning Credit is a non-refundable education credit that can reduce your tax owed, but is not added to your refund.

LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-credits-deductions/expenses-qualify-...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/credits-and-deductions/help/what-expenses-qualify-for-the-lifetime...

[ehsanur007]

Thank you for your quick response.

While working on a tax return at TurboTax, for the question "Did Afifa have any of these common situations in 2025?"  If I don't check the box "Had 4 years of college credit before 2025." (This is true; I didn't receive the credit because I was living abroad and was not a US permanent resident.) TurboTax shows me that I am eligible for the "American Opportunity Tax Credit".

I think this needs to be fixed for TurboTax interactive filing. 

[Hal_Al]

Since your current school has admitted you to a graduate program, you are considered to have completed 4 years of post secondary education.

For more on the subject, see:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-aoc-did-you-complete-the-first-fou...