Claiming federal education credits

[TaxSaver101]

I paid for my dependent's Spring (started January) 2024 semester tuition in late 2023. Because it was paid in 2023, this payment is not documented in my dependent's 2024 1098-T. Can I still claim this payment for the 2024 education credits?

[Bsch4477]

No. Expenses paid in2023 must be used for credit on the 2023 return even though paid for 2024 expenses 

[TaxSaver101]

Does it change anything if my prior payments in 2023 already got me the full 2023 AOC credit? Which means even if that payment in 2023 for 2024 tuition was not counted in 2023, I would have still gotten the full AOC credit in 2023.

[Bsch4477]

If you got the maximum credit in 2023 it doesn’t matter. If not then you can amend your 2023 return.