How to claim educational Credit

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

In TurboTax (TT), enter at:

Federal Taxes Tab

Deductions & Credits

-Scroll down to:

-Your Home

--Education

  --Education Expenses

The education credit goes with the student's exemption (dependency), regardless of who paid the tuition.  If the parent claims the student, as a dependent, the parent also claims the credit, even though the 1098-T is in the student;s name. If the student claims himself, he claims the credit. But beware,  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.  

Full rules:  https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC   https://www.irs.gov/individuals/llc