question on living parents

[mcj224]

Turbo tax asks if my parents were living at the end of 2019.  My mother is not and I have never known my father so I do not know if he is alive.  How do I answer and does it matter?  I am a student living with family other than parents.

[Hal_Al]

It sounds like you are trying to claim the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Tuition Credit (AOTC). Full time students under 24 are not allowed to do that. One of the exceptions is if you are an orphan.  I can't quote a reference, but based on other answers, I've seen in this forum, you can answer no. 

But, it may not matter. If the close family member you live with claims you as a dependent, you still do not qualify for the AOTC.  But your relative can claim it, based on his dependent's educational expenses.