AOTC (American Opportunity Tax Credit)

[abbsmwhitman]

when filing FAFSA, I was alerted that i should be eligible for an American Opportunity Tax credit based on my income. How do I file for this credit?

[SweetieJean]

Were you under age 24 on 12/31/2016?

[MollsBBU]

TurboTax automatically checks for any education deductions or credits you may be eligible for. You may note, the IRS only lets you take one education credit or deduction. 

You may qualify for the AOTC, Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC), or the tuition and fees deduction. For more information about each, please see:

• What are Education Tax Credits? (including information about both the AOTC & LLC)
• Who is eligible to take the American Opportunity Tax Credit?
• Who is eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit?
• What is the tuition and fees deduction?

If you qualify for two or more education credits or deductions, the TurboTax Education Optimizer picks the one that gives you the biggest tax break.