American Opportunity Credit

[SA786]

I claimed American Opportunity Credits for my daughter for tax years 2017, 2019 and 2020. I was unable to claim AOTC for tax years 2018 and 2021 due to income limitation phase out.  

Note: My daughter transferred from a community college to undergraduate school, so it took her 5 years to graduate instead of 4.

I am getting this message for 2022 tax year filing:      

Somebody else can claim you as a dependent on their return

There were no net qualified education expenses

[Hal_Al]

If you are eligible, you have answered  something wrong, in the interview. In particular, answer no to the question has she completed 4 years of post secondary education. 

You may have  to delete all the education info and start over.  Go through the entire education interview until you reach a screen titled "Your Education Expenses Summary".  Click delete next to the student's name.  You'll then get the "Your Education Expenses Summary" screen again.  Click the "Add a student" button.

[JohnB5677]

You may not qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit because she had already completed 4 years of higher education.  

However, you may qualify for the Lifetime Learning Credit.

To be eligible for AOTC, the student must:

• Be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential.
• Be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period* beginning in the tax year
• Not have finished the first four years of higher education at the beginning of the tax year
• Not have claimed the AOTC or the former Hope credit for more than four tax years
• Not have a felony drug conviction at the end of the tax year

If this does not completely answer your question, please contact us again and provide some additional details.