Q. If I can find the receipt pay for 2022 spring semester but what If I paid for that in 2021, then would that not count?
A. Correct, that would not count for 2022. You should have claimed it on your 2021 return.
Q. If I paid for spring 2022 semester, and I paid it in January then that would count?
A. Correct.
Q. Does this automatically gives me the American Opportunity Credit? Does TurboTax automatically file it for you based on your 1098-T?
A. Yes. Or more accurately, it automatically calculates the credit based on your input. Then it tells you it will be claiming it. You can chose to delete before actually filing.
You say "which I am afraid of claiming". Why? Weak records? You can use your own records, just don't duplicate. For example don't claim spring 2022 tuition on both your 2021 and 2022 returns.
