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H
hdgahog
Level 2
April 7, 2026
Question

Education Credits Form Question: Uncommon situations in 2025

  • April 7, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views

I pay my kids tuition and take the credit for tax purposes. I'm thrown off by the below question because I have claimed the credit in a previous year so I don't consider this "uncommon".  In 2025, I filed my 2024 tax and claimed the credit. I will do the same this year. Do they mean claimed the 2025 payments in 2024 (prepaid college?).

    2 replies

    M
    MinhT1
    Level 15
    April 7, 2026

    Please clarify. Are your kids attending post-secondary college? Which credit (AOTC or LLC) did you claim in past years?

    **Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
      H
      hdgahogAuthor
      Level 2
      April 7, 2026

      Thank you. 

      My kids are attending college to obtain their first bachelors degree. I have claimed the AOTC for both.

      M
      MinhT1
      Level 15
      April 7, 2026

      You should check the first box: Claimed the Hope or American Opportunity credit in a previous year.

      **Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
        Hal_Al
        Level 15
        Hal_AlLevel 15
        Level 15
        April 7, 2026

        Q. Do they mean claimed the 2025 payments in 2024 (prepaid college?).

        A.  No. They just want to know if this is your 1st year claiming a tuition credit, for that student. 

         

        Check that box. You will later be asked how many times it was claimed.  This is to prevent you from claiming the AOTC more than the allowed 4 times. 

         

        You are correct, it's poorly worded. It's more common than uncommon.

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