Do I qualify for the American Opportunity Credit?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
February 25, 2021
4 replies
28 views

I started my secondary education in 2014 but as I was only part-time until 2018 I am just now graduating in May, I was considered a Senior throughout 2020. I am not sure if I qualify for the AOTC credit as I am not sure what they define 4 years of post-secondary education to be, is it 4 years in credits? or 4 literal years of study? Also, is there any way to verify that I have not claimed it 4 times previously? The IRS only has years 2017-2019 through the transcript tool. I claimed lifetime learning for those years but have no clue about 2014-2016 and the system I filed with is not offering those dates either.

MinhT1

Level 15

As you have completed more than 4 years of post-secondary education at the beginning of 2020, you are not eligible for the American Opportunity credit. You may be eligible for the Lifetime Learning credit or the Tuition and fee deduction.

To be eligible for AOTC, the student must:

Be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential
Be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period* beginning in the tax year
Not have finished the first four years of higher education at the beginning of the tax year
Not have claimed the AOTC or the former Hope credit for more than four tax years
Not have a felony drug conviction at the end of the tax year

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MinhT1

Level 15

To be eligible for AOTC, the student must:

Be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential
Be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period* beginning in the tax year
Not have finished the first four years of higher education at the beginning of the tax year
Not have claimed the AOTC or the former Hope credit for more than four tax years
Not have a felony drug conviction at the end of the tax year

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jessielynn177Author

Level 2

So even though I had not completed my bachelors qualifications/ 4 years (120 credits) before 2020 I am still ineligible? If I did claim it from 2014-2016 it would’ve only been 3 times.