@pleypley - let's go back to the federal return and be sure your dependent is able to claim AOTC.
does your "dependent" meet ALL THREE of these conditions? if yes, then even if you don't claim them, they are not eligible for AOTC.
1) they are under 24 and provide less than 50% of their own support AND
2) one of their parents are alive AND
3) they are filing other than MFJ.
it is possible for your dependent to claim the Lifetime Learning Credit if you don't claim them, but not AOTC. Their income would have to be over $13,850 (2023) for the credit to have any value to the dependent.
does this information change whether to claim your dependent?
1) how old are they? since you state they are your dependent, they are providing less then 50% of their own support.
2) are you the parent (so one of the parents are alive 😀)
3) are they married?
