The American Opportunity Tax Credit mistakenly filed years ago

[taxquestion554]

Hello my non-resident wife (I am a US permanent resident)

years ago studied in an American school in Europe and would 

come and work on a J1 work and travel in the US. She was 

under the mistaken impression she was eligible for The American Opportunity Tax Credit during 2017 and 2018 (in fact her US school in Europe provided documents for the students to support their tax credit claims!)

we were looking into things and realized she likely was not eligible for the tax credit, is there a way we can return this money now several years later?

[Vanessa A]

Yes, you can go back and file a 2017 1040X or a 2018 1040X to amend your return.  If you used TurboTax, you can go back and log into your old return to file the amended form.  However, no matter which way you do it, you will need to print and mail the form.  

After you file and send in your payment, you will likely get a letter from the IRS stating that you owe additional interest in penalties on the overpayment.