Do parents or students get American Opportunity Credit?
You can claim these education tax credits as a student if you're not claimed as a dependent on anyone else's tax return. Parents can claim the credit for a student who is a dependent. Spouses can claim the credit if they use the married filing jointly status.
The IRS only allows you to claim the education credit if the student is being claimed as a dependent on your tax return. Therefore, if the student is being claimed as a dependent on the parent's tax return, then the parents are the only ones eligible for the education credit.
- Be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential.
- Be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period* beginning in the tax year.
- Not have finished the first four years of higher education at the beginning of the tax year.
Calculating the American Opportunity Tax Credit
If you have two dependents who are eligible students, you can claim a different educational tax benefit for one student if you claim the American Opportunity Credit for the other student; you can, but do not have to, claim the same credit for both dependents.
The 1000 came from the 8863. While the total amount of the AOC is worth up to $2,500, only $1,000 of the AOC is actually refundable. This means you can use the other portion to reduce your tax liability if you have any. But, only $1,000 can be directly added to your refund without any tax liability.
If your parents have claimed the American Opportunity Credit on their returns for 4 calendar years, you (or they) can no longer claim that credit. You would be able to use the Lifetime Learning Credit, but only if your parents can't claim you as a dependent.
You, your dependent or a third party pays qualified education expenses for higher education. An eligible student must be enrolled at an eligible educational institution. The eligible student is yourself, your spouse or a dependent you list on your tax return.
Either you, your dependent, or both of you may enter Form 1098-T Tuition Statement and other education information in TaxAct®. If you claim a dependent, only you can claim the education credit. Therefore, you would enter Form 1098-T and the dependent's other education information in your return.
Years of study – The student must not have completed the first four years of post-secondary education as of the beginning of the taxable year. This definition is also determined by the school. Claiming the AOTC previously – You can only claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit four times per student.
Taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less ($160,000 or less for joint filers) are potentially eligible for the full credit and the credit is reduced ratably up for modified adjusted gross incomes up to $90,000.
What is the income limit for American Opportunity Credit?
Income Limits for the American Opportunity Tax Credit | ||
---|---|---|
Single | Married Filing Jointly | |
Full Credit | $80,000 or less | $160,000 or less |
Partial Credit | More than $80,000 but less than $90,000 | More than $160,000 but less than $180,000 |
No Credit | More than $90,000 | More than $180,000 |
Generally, the IRS requires that the child is under the age of 19 (or under 24 if a full-time student), lives with you for more than half the year, and does not provide more than half of their own financial support.
The American Opportunity Education Credit is available to be claimed for a maximum of 4 years per eligible student. This includes the number of times you claimed the Hope Education Credit (which was used for tax years prior to 2009).
The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) is a partially refundable tax credit that provides up to $2,500 per student per year to pay for college. The tax credit is based on up to $4,000 in eligible higher education expenses, equal to 100% of the first $2,000 in eligible expenses and 25% of the second $2,000.
If the taxpayer was under age 24 at the end of the year and certain conditions apply, they may not qualify to receive the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit.
However, to claim a college student as a dependent on your taxes, the Internal Revenue Service has determined that the qualifying child or qualifying relative must: Be younger than the taxpayer (or spouse if MFJ) and: Be under age 19, Under age 24 and a full-time student for at least five months of the year.
What is the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)? The AOTC is a tax credit worth up to $2,500 per year for an eligible college student. It is refundable up to $1,000. If you are a college student filing your own return, you may claim this credit a maximum of four times (i.e. once per year for four years).
Your child can qualify as a dependent up to age 24 if they are enrolled full-time as a student and meet all the other eligibility requirements (listed above).
The student reports all his scholarship, up to the amount needed to claim the American Opportunity Credit (AOC), as income on his return. That way, the parents (or himself, if he is not a dependent) can claim the tuition credit on their return.
Yes, a noncustodial parent may be eligible to claim the child tax credit for his or her child if he or she is allowed to claim the child as a dependent and otherwise qualifies to claim the child tax credit.
What is the difference between the Hope Credit and the American Opportunity Credit?
The Hope Credit covered only expenses from the first two years of post-secondary education. AOTC expands that to four years. Also, AOTC allows taxpayers to claim credit for any money they spend to purchase course-related books, supplies and equipment.
The "first four years" refers to the amount of academic credit that has been awarded. Generally, it's what schools use to classify students (junior, senior, etc.).
Considerations When Filing as a Dependent or Independent Student. If your parents meet eligibility criteria to claim you as financially dependent for tax purposes, it is usually more beneficial for them to do so rather than you claiming a deduction for yourself.
If you are claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return (such as your parent's return), please give your Form 1098-T and Supplemental Information directly to that person.
They want the form so that they can claim the education credit on their taxes. If you were only taking 1 course your expenses would only qualify for the Lifetime Learning Credit. To qualify for the American Opportunity Credit you must have been a full time student taking at least 12 credit hours.
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