If someone else could claim you as a dependent in 2021, then you were not eligible then for the stimulus money and are not eligible now for the recovery rebate credit. That credit is based on your 2021 situation. You state that you were not earning any income in 2021. Were you a student---being supported by someone else--such as your parents?
There have been no federal stimulus checks since 2021----so there are no recovery rebate credits to put on returns for 2022, 2023, or 2024.
And....you seem to be asking about the American Opportunity Tax Credit too. If you were someone else's dependent, then the person (or parents) who could claim you were the ones who could use the AOTC on their tax return. If, in fact, you were eligible for the AOTC yourself, then you would have to file returns for each tax year in which you are trying to get it.
To quote another TurboTax Champ, @Hal_Al
There's a new urban myth among college students that says they can get a $1000 from the government just for filing a tax form. For most of them, they simply aren't eligible. A full time unmarried student, under age 24, even if you don't qualify as a dependent, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.
You cannot claim the (up to) $1000 refundable credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else.
Reference: Line 7 instructions for form 8863.
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8863#en_US_2024_publink53002gd0e674
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
