Without actually seeing your return, it is impossible to tell you exactly why you are not getting the credit, but some of the reasons could be
- Your taxes you are are self-employment taxes and not just taxes on your ordinary income. It will not offset self-employment taxes.
- You did not go all the way through the questions
- You are married filing separately
- You answered someone else can claim you as a dependent on their return
What do you see on line 16 of your return?
Do you have a form 8863 attached to your return?
Do you have a Schedule 2 with an amount on line 4? Self-Employment tax
Do you have a Schedule 3 with an amount on line 3? Education Credits