Tax Year Prior to 2020: Why would ttax default to lifetime learning credit that calcs to $500 when American Opportunity Credit calcs to $2000?

For your security, I have removed your confidential financial documents from this public user forum.

Type   letme   into the search box (one word) 

Click the "Jump to letme" link

Answer "Yes" to "Do you want to change the education calculation"

Continue through to the screen that shows the available credits. 

Click American Opportunity Credit if available. 

You can also go to forms and make sure the Launch OPTIMIZER is selected. 

(look for Tuition Summary and look at line 1) 

Also look at the 8863 to see of there is a reason that the AOTC is not available.