Can i claim American Opportunity Credit if Form 1098-T Checked Box-9 ( If a graduate student )?

[Critter · Accepted solution]

No the AOC is for undergrad work only. 

[raj2]

Thank you..

[SweetieJean]

However, you may qualify for this:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/llc">https://www.irs.gov/individuals/llc</a>

[Texas Roger]

See this Q&A from the IRS which describes an exception for a graduate student to receive the American Opportunity Credit:

Q13. If a student was an undergraduate during the first part of the taxable year and became a graduate student that same year, will the student qualify for the American opportunity tax credit?
A. If a student has not completed the first four years of post-secondary education as of the beginning of the taxable year, and has not claimed the Hope scholarship credit and/or the American opportunity tax credit for more than four taxable years, the student can claim the American opportunity tax credit for qualified expenses paid during the entire taxable year.

Here is a link to the IRS Q&A publication: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/uac/american-opportunity-tax-credit-questions-and-answers">https://www.irs.gov/u...>

[Critter]

Yes, I did this with my niece ... she has a 1099-T from the undergrad spring semester  & a 1099-T from the masters degree in the fall.  The tuition from the undergrad exceeded the $4000 needed for the credit so the grad costs were immaterial.  

Not sure if the IRS will let this fly if the poster only gets a 1099 with the grad work.