Why would IRS audit my 2017 tax return for education and american opportunity credits if turbo tax claimed my sons were eligible and met the requirements for these credit

[Lisa995]

IRS always has the option to verify qualifications for credits....they're probably asking to see proof that you paid the tuition that got you the credit.

[Opus 17]

First of all, Turbotax doesn't know if you give the program incorrect eligibility information, it's answers are based on your instructions. Second, you could have a problem with tuition credits if someone else claimed your child as a dependent (the IRS won't necessarily tell you why they are auditing you.)  And third, as Lisa said, the IRS checks a certain number of credit claims randomly.  If you entered the amount the school billed you (box 2 of form 1098-T), the IRS will want to make sure that is the amount you actually paid.  (That is why box 2 is no longer allowed, in the future, the school can only report what you actually paid in box 1.)