How to claim the American Opportunity Credit?

[jf10401]

Where in turbo tax do I claim it?

[rjs]

You should have received a Form 1098-T from your school showing the amount of tuition that you paid. Go to the following link for instructions to enter the Form 1098-T. TurboTax will then determine whether you qualify for the American Opportunity Credit, and whether one of the other tuition benefits will give you a better result.

Where do I enter Form 1098-T?

[Hal_Al]

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 full time unmarried 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 usually 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.