I claimed the American opportunity credit for 3 years, but it said we already claimed 4 years of credits. Is there any options I can check it ?

[bobandtom55]

We claimed the American opportunity tax for 3 years, but it said we claimed 4 years already.  Is there any options we can check it?

[ChrisJ]

Look at your return from a prior year. Find form 8863. Is it there? If yes, lines 8 and/or 19 will tell you how much (if any) credit was claimed.

If you don't see Form 8863, there was no way to claim any refundable or nonrefundable credits that year.

The IRS is only ever concerned with knowing if you've claimed this credit for 4 total years - eligible years do not have to be consecutive. (Form 8863, line 23) 

Find your return in TurboTax.

Otherwise, get this information from the IRS. Call them at 800-908-9946 or go here.

Once you've confirmed the number of years AOTC has been claimed:

1. Sign in and Continue your/take me to my return
2. Go to Federal Taxes, then Deductions and Credits
3. Edit/Add/Start for Expenses and Scholarships (Form 1098-T)
4. On Your Education Expenses Summary, Edit or Add Another Student
5. (enter tuition/scholarship/other information) Edit Education Information
6. TurboTax will ask: 'Did You Ever Receive the American Opportunity or Hope Credit?' Answer Yes, enter # of years. TurboTax will choose the deduction or credit that saves you the most in tax payments.