Claimed the Hope or American Opportunity Credit in a previous year is confusing

noicing — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 02:52:33 GMT

Turbotax is asking if I ever claimed the AOTC which is confusing since a student should get it for 4 years. If I check the box, it then it doesn't allow me to take the credit. It should ask if I have taken it for 4 years instead.

Re: Claimed the Hope or American Opportunity Credit in a previous year is confusing

Hal_Al — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 03:12:20 GMT

After answering yes to that question, you will be asked (3 screens later) how many times you claimed it. Read the screen carefully. If first asks how many times you claimed the Hope Credit. The 2nd box asks how many times for the American Opportunity Credit.

Re: Claimed the Hope or American Opportunity Credit in a previous year is confusing

MaxA1 — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 03:30:01 GMT

Follow these steps:

Go to Deductions & Credits
Go to Education expenses and Scholarships
Answer the "Did you have educations expenses?" question.
Select the student to whom the education expenses apply to.
Answer whether or not you are working toward a degree.
- Note: if you are not working toward a degree, you won't qualify for the AOTC.
Next screen, Select any of the boxes that apply to you.
The next screen is likely what you are referring to. Here you will indicate that you have claimed the AOTC before.
Next screen indicate if you are a full-time, at least half-time, or less than half time student.
- Note: If you're less than half-time student, you won't qualify for the AOTC.
Next screen you'll be asked if 2025 is your first year of college, answer accordingly.
Next screen you will enter the number of years you have claimed the Hope Credit and/or the AOTC, answer accordingly.
Next, you will be asked if you received a 1098-T, answer accordingly, and continue to enter the 1098-T information.
Go through the rest of the prompts.

If you answered the questions in the above steps correctly, TurboTax should calculate your AOTC, if you qualify for it and will also let you know if you don't qualify for it.

Here's some helpful links regarding Form 1098-T:

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Claimed the Hope or American Opportunity Credit in a previous year is confusing

Re: Claimed the Hope or American Opportunity Credit in a previous year is confusing

Re: Claimed the Hope or American Opportunity Credit in a previous year is confusing