topic Lifetime learning credit in Education

Lifetime learning credit

Jahdiel — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:29:00 GMT

Hello,

I have married filing jointly and our AGI is 169k. My understanding is that for the LLC you are able to deduct up to 2000$. Turbotax was able to deduct only 342$ out of 3781$ in total education expenses. Is this correct, if so why am I not able to deduct the full 2000$?

Thank you for any assistance!

Re: Lifetime learning credit

AmyC — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:26:37 GMT

The phaseout for AOTC is $160,000- $180,000 MFJ. You can find the calculations on Form 8863. Your deduction does sound too low but you may have other limiting factors.

References:

IRS Q & A about education credits

About Form 8863, Education Credits

Re: Lifetime learning credit

Hal_Al — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 21:32:56 GMT

The phaseout of the education credit is 160K to 180K for either the AOTC or Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) for 2021, is based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).

If you file Form 1040 or 1040-SR, your MAGI is the AGI on line 11 of
that form, modified by adding back any:
1. Foreign earned income exclusion,
2. Foreign housing exclusion,
3. Foreign housing deduction,
4. Exclusion of income by bona fide residents of American Samoa, and
5. Exclusion of income by bona fide residents of Puerto Rico.