Qualifications for claiming the American Opportunity Tax Credit are:
- You paid an eligible student's qualified education expenses for higher education at any college, university, or vocational school with a student aid program administered by the US Department of Education
- The eligible student is you, your spouse, or a dependent on your return
- For the full credit, your MAGI (modified adjusted gross income) is less than $80,000 ($160,000 if you're filing jointly)
- For a reduced credit, your MAGI is between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 and $180,000 if you're filing jointly)
- There is no credit given if your MAGI is above $90,000 ($180,000 if you’re filing jointly)
An eligible student is defined as a student who:
- Is enrolled at least half-time in a program leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized credential
- Had at least one academic period beginning during the year
- Didn't claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit for more than three previous years
- Didn't complete the first four years of post-secondary education before the beginning of the year
The American Opportunity Tax Credit cannot be claimed on Married Filing Separately returns nor under any of these conditions:
- The student is a dependent on someone else's return
- The student is a nonresident alien (unless the student's spouse is a resident and they file a joint return treating both as residents, or the parents claim the student as a dependent on their joint return)
- The student had a felony drug conviction
