Can you claim the American Opportunity education credit for call 4 years of college? the FAQ's here say 3 but IRS website says 4

[kshire2]

Think there is a discrepancy with turbo tac not allowing me to claim my sons final year. who can I report it to, I have contacted IRS and it clearly  states  you can claim all 4 years, and you have to  be enrolled for 4 years

[Hal_Al]

Yes, you may claim the AOTC a maximum of 4 times.  I'm not seeing any error limiting it to 3 times.  Since college usually takes 5 calendar years, most students are not able to claim  the AOTC their final year because they have already used their 4 times.  They can claim the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) instead. 

[AmyC]

Yes, there are 4 years. However, most students go for one semester their freshman year which spreads out to 5 calendar years. This makes the senior year past the 4 year mark and not eligible. Please go back and check your last 4 years of returns. You probably claimed it freshman year and have used all 4 years already.