How can I as a current student claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit?

[DanaB]

If you have out of pocket education expenses you might qualify for the American Opportunity Credit. You should have received a 1098T from your school and when you enter it in TurboTax and go through the questions TurboTax will help determine if you qualify. Please see this FAQ on how to enter your form 1098-T:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4194409

Please see these FAQs for additional information:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3301953

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/5358150

[Opus 17]

If you can be claimed as a dependent by your parents (most college students can), then they have to agree not to claim you, even though they could.  Then, if you are under age 24 and at least one parent is still alive, your credit will be limited to reducing your income tax from your wages.  You can't get free money back once your tax bill is reduced to zero.  This generally means you must have at least $35,000 of taxable income to get the full benefit of the credit.  

In the personal interview, Turbotax asks two questions; Can you be claimed as a dependent, and Will that person actually claim you.  These questions are to set up the AOTC interview (among other things).

If you can be claimed as a dependent and you will be claimed as a dependent, then the person who claims you as a dependent gets the credit instead of you.

If you can't be claimed as a dependent by someone else, then there is no problem with the credit, just enter your college expenses from the 1098-T.