turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

Why I get to take the full time student credit?

I am a full time student, can’t I take the student credit?
Connect with an expert
x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

1 Best answer

Accepted Solutions
Hal_Al
Level 15

Why I get to take the full time student credit?

There is no credit just for being a full time student. There is a credit for having paid certain higher education expenses.

If you are eligible, you have answered  something wrong, in the interview. But, a lot of people are just not eligible. See https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC  or https://www.irs.gov/individuals/llc

It may only be you are looking in the wrong place. The non-refundable portion shows on line 33 of form 1040A (line 50 of form 1040) and will be blank if you had no tax liability to off set. The refundable portion (up to $1000 will be on line 44 of 1040A (line 68 of 1040).

There's a new urban myth among college students that says they can get a $1000 from the government just for filing a tax form. For most of them, they simply aren't eligible. A student, under age 24, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. You must have actually paid tuition, not had it paid by scholarships & grants.  It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.  

You cannot claim a credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else. There is a limit of claiming the AOTC a total of four times (4 tax years) per student, whether claimed by the student or his parents. You cannot file as Married Filing separately.

Go thru the interview again. In particular, Edit your personal information at the beginning of the software. When Turbotax (TT) sees from your birth date that you are under 24, it specifically asks if you provided more than half your support with earned income.

Also see this TT FAQ https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3383321-why-didn-t-i-get-a-credit-or-deduction-for-education-expen...

View solution in original post

2 Replies

Why I get to take the full time student credit?

How old are you ?  Are you being claimed as a dependent on your parent's tax return?
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
Hal_Al
Level 15

Why I get to take the full time student credit?

There is no credit just for being a full time student. There is a credit for having paid certain higher education expenses.

If you are eligible, you have answered  something wrong, in the interview. But, a lot of people are just not eligible. See https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC  or https://www.irs.gov/individuals/llc

It may only be you are looking in the wrong place. The non-refundable portion shows on line 33 of form 1040A (line 50 of form 1040) and will be blank if you had no tax liability to off set. The refundable portion (up to $1000 will be on line 44 of 1040A (line 68 of 1040).

There's a new urban myth among college students that says they can get a $1000 from the government just for filing a tax form. For most of them, they simply aren't eligible. A student, under age 24, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. You must have actually paid tuition, not had it paid by scholarships & grants.  It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.  

You cannot claim a credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else. There is a limit of claiming the AOTC a total of four times (4 tax years) per student, whether claimed by the student or his parents. You cannot file as Married Filing separately.

Go thru the interview again. In particular, Edit your personal information at the beginning of the software. When Turbotax (TT) sees from your birth date that you are under 24, it specifically asks if you provided more than half your support with earned income.

Also see this TT FAQ https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3383321-why-didn-t-i-get-a-credit-or-deduction-for-education-expen...

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question
Manage cookies