AOTC - American Opportunity Tax Credit

[isabelmorteo]

AOTC - American Opportunity Tax Credit. Where Do I enter the information

[DoninGA]

To enter, edit or delete Education Expenses -

Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
Click on Deductions and Credits
Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
Scroll down to Education
On Expenses and Scholarships (Form 1098-T), click on the start or update button

Or enter education expenses in the Search box located in the upper right of the program screen. Click on Jump to education expenses

[Hal_Al]

If you are student-dependent, you don't enter it, your parents do; even though the 1098-T form is in your name. 

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. It is usually best if the parent claims that credit. 

You cannot claim the (up to) $1000 refundable 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#en_US_2024_publink53002gd0e674