American Opportunity Credit- I was on F1 visa for 12 years and on TN since Sept. 2016

[mpley19]

I was on F1 visa for 12 years and on TN since Sept. 2016 so I am considered a resident alien under the substantial presence test for federal. Can I claim AOTC? If I claim it and I do not actually qualify, can I be penalized?

[LinaJ2018]

Yes, as a resident for tax purposes, you can claim the AOTC if meet the criteria.  After entering your information by going through the Education Expenses section in the program, the program will tell you which education benefit would maximize your refund.  If for some reasons you do not qualify and you file with claiming the credit, IRS will notify you with the adjustments. 

To enter the information in TurboTax Free Edition, here are the steps:

1. After sign into your account and select Take me to my return 

2.  At the right upper corner, in the search box , type in 1098t and Enter 

3.  Select Jump to form 1098T 

4.  On screen, "Do you want to enter your higher education expenses?" answer Yes. 

5.  Go through the step-by-step interview questions/ screens