I currently owe the IRS for a previous American Opportunity Credit, and now it says I am eligable again. What do I do?

[jkate-evans]

TurboTax is offering me the American Opportunity Credit again, for my 2016 returns. The IRS says that I owe them for this credit that was awarded to me on my 2014 tax returns. Am I allowed to accept this credit now, even though I owe the whole amount for a previous year?

[Hal_Al]

WHY did the IRS disallow the AOTC for 2014?
What has changed since then?
The most likely explanation is you gave TurboTax the same wrong answers on your 2016 return that you made on your 2014.
Are you the parent trying to claim the credit or the student?

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 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.  

Qualifications for the AOTC: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC">https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC</a>

[jkate-evans]

I am 28 years old, have my own income, I am a student, and I paid for most of my tuition myself (with some Financial Aid, and Employer-assisted help). I was technically in an Associate-Degree program and graduated in December. I am now currently enrolled in a Bachelor's program. I am assuming that because I was in an Associate-Degree program that it seems as though I am in my first four years of college.
The IRS disallowed my 2014 AOTC because they state that the income/deductions reported on my 2014 form 1040A do not mach what was reported to them by my payer/trustees. I don't even know what that means.
In 2014, I certainly did not pay as much in tuition as I did this year, by far. So I'm assuming I screwed up somewhere in my 2014 tax returns and wasn't actually eligible that year.

I Just want to pay the IRS the money I owe, hopefully with my 2016 tax returns. However, if this credit is offered to me this year, I don't want to run into this issue again.

[Hal_Al]

That's a typical IRS tactic, they adjust your return based on something else and disallow unrelated items.
You need to get a handle on the mismatching issue and reply to the IRS, justifying the AOTC. You may have to get professional help

[jkate-evans]

Thank you so much for your help! One more question, if I do not accept the AOTC for my 2016 tax returns and file anyway, will I be able to put whatever my returns are towards what I owe?
I have already tried to rectify the situation and have had no luck. I really just want to pay it and be done with the whole mess.

[Hal_Al]

No. But, the IRS may do that automatically, depending on where you stand in the process. Usually you get your current year refund and a separate bill for the back year.

[Hal_Al]

Based on the follow up info you provided, you are eligible for the AOTC and should go ahead and claim it on your 2016 return. The 2014 IRS review is a separate issue and is not entirely related to the AOTC.