Can I claim the American Opportunity Act if I was 24 years old on Dec 31 2018?

[KittyM · Accepted solution]

Maybe. Your ability to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) for education is not dependent on your age, although after age 24 you do not need to deal with the issue of your parents claiming the credit on their return any longer.

The credit is, however, limited to your first four years of college education, as you are expected to earn a Baccalaureate degree in four years.  After the fourth year you (or your parents) receive the AOTC, you may qualify for the Lifetime Learning Credit. 

Please use the TurboTax interview or the IRS' interactive tax assistant Am I eligible to Claim an Education Credit to determine which education credits you may qualify for.