If your form 1098-T Box 8 "Check if at least half-time student" is not checked, you don't qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC).
TurboTax will optimize the best credit for you, which is probably the Lifetime Learning Credit. Click on Who is eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit?
Don't worry, if you take the required amount of courses in the future, you may be eligible for the AOTC, in that year.
Per IRS Form 1098-T Instructions Box
8 is checked by the school administrator if at Least Half-Time Student:
- The
student was at least a half-time student during any academic period that began
in 2016.
- A
half-time student is a student enrolled for at least half the full-time
academic workload for the course of study the student is pursuing.
- Your institution's
standard for a half-time student work load must equal or exceed the
standards established by the Department of Education under the Higher Education
Act and set forth in 34 C.F.R. section 674.2(b).
However
, keep in mind that there
are other requirements to be eligible to claim the AOTC credit. For additional
information, click on Who is eligible to take the
American Opportunity Tax Credit?
For additional information, see my answer regarding the AOTC: https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4203576
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