How do I know if I've claimed the American Opportunity Credit or Hope Credit before?

[MinhT1]

You can only claim the American Opportunity tax credit a maximum of 4 times and if you have not completed the first 4 years of post-secondary education.

If you have not kept records of how many times you have claimed the AOC, the surest way is to look at your past tax returns.

[Hal_Al]

Any times that your parents claimed the American Opportunity Credit or Hope Credit, on your education, while you were their dependent, count against your 4 times.