I began my undergrad in Fall 2013. I was supposed to graduate May 2017, but didn’t until December 2017. Can I still claim AOTC this year if I only claimed it once before?

[maglib]

Do note that the 1098 does not specify anything other than the year, it does not break down the semesters attended.  The question is related prior to the year started. Did you earn the  4 year degree prior to 2017?

[kmccollum008]

No I did not, I had to stay an extra semester because I picked up a minor.

[maglib]

Did you earn your 4 year degree prior to the beginning of the tax year?  NO, if no then you did not complete the first 4 years.... so eligible for the AOTC for that year.

[kmccollum008]

That’s what I thought, I just wanted to confirm! Thank you so much 🙂

[ChrisVonHoep · Accepted solution]

Per IRS: 

If a student has not completed the first four years of post-secondary education as of the beginning of the taxable year, and has not claimed the Hope scholarship credit and/or the American opportunity tax credit for more than four taxable years, the student can claim the American opportunity tax credit for qualified expenses paid during the entire taxable year.

Click here for the IRS rules concerning the American Opportunity Tax Credit.