Can I claim the college EDUCATION TAX CREDIT if we made less than $180,000 (married filing jointly)? TT keeps telling me that we don't qualify, and I don't understand why

Q. What is "modified adjusted gross income" for the purpose of the AOTC?

A1. For most filers, it is the amount of your AGI, adjusted gross income, from your tax return. If you file Form 1040 , your MAGI is the AGI on line 11 of that form, modified by adding back any:

• Foreign earned income exclusion
• Foreign housing exclusion
• Foreign housing deduction
• Exclusion of income by bona fide residents of American Samoa or Puerto Rico.

A2. In addition to that, there is a phase out of the credit amount between $160,000 and $180,000. 

 

So, if that's not the explanation, see the other rules at:

 https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/college-and-education/what-are-education-tax-credits/L7TuLrVqZ

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-credits-deductions/education-tax-credits-available/L691dvlGB_US_en_US shorter

 https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC

 

Otherwise, you've answered something wrong in the interview.