Turbotax is saying someone else can claim me on their taxes in regards to education credits, but that is not the case. How do I fix this?

[princesslizzy5]

Parents have claimed me for the past 3 years on taxes and this is my first year filing alone.

[MinhT1]

Revisit the My Info section by clicking on My Info on the left of your screen. Read each question carefully.

On the page titled Let's check for some other situations, uncheck the mark on  Another taxpayer can claim me as a dependent on their tax return.

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

If you do click that somebody CAN claim you, you will then be asked if somebody WILL claim you.  Just answering the second ("will") question no does not qualify you for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity question. 

 An unmarried, full time student, under age 24, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit (AOTC) if he/she supports himself by working, regardless of dependent status. She cannot be supporting herself on student loans & grants and 529 plans and parental support.  It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.  

If the student actually has a tax liability, there is a provision to allow him to claim a non-refundable tuition credit. But then the parent must forgo claiming the student as a dependent, and the $500 other dependent credit.   This is worth up to $2500 (AOTC shifts to all non refundable)