What Is the American Opportunity Tax Credit?
The American opportunity credit allows students or their parents the opportunity to reduce the cost of attending college. The credit typically offers greater tax savings than other education related tax benefits since it reduces the tax you owe on a dollar-for-dollar basis and a portion of it can be refunded even if you don't owe any tax. However, there are several requirements for eligibility.
Key Takeaways
- To be eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the student must enroll in at least one academic semester during the applicable tax year and must maintain at least half-time status in a program leading to a degree or other credential.
- Qualifying expenses include tuition and fees to an eligible educational institution, as well as purchased items relating to the program of study such as books, supplies, and equipment.
- The credit does not cover costs associated with room, board, transportation, or medical insurance.
- For tax year 2024, the credit begins to phase out for single taxpayers who have adjusted gross income between $80,000 and $90,000 and joint tax filers when adjusted gross income is between $160,000 and $180,000.
Eligibility requirements
A student eligible for the American Opportunity tax credit:
- has not completed the first four years of post-secondary education
- enrolls in at least one academic semester during the applicable tax year
- maintains at least half-time status in a program leading to a degree or other credential
- If the student has ever been a state or federal criminal because of a drug conviction, then they likely aren't eligible for the tax credit.
Qualifying expenses
Paying tuition and fees to an eligible educational institution can make you eligible for the credit.
- Eligible educational institutions can be more than just colleges and universities; they can also include any post-secondary school that satisfies the requirements to participate in the U.S. Department of Education financial aid program.
- Purchased items relating to the program of study can typically qualify as an expense for the American Opportunity credit. These can include the cost of:
- books
- supplies
- equipment
- The credit does not cover costs associated with:
- room
- board
- transportation
- medical insurance
The IRS does not require you to reduce qualified expenses by any amount you pay with borrowed funds, such as student loans or credit cards. However, you may not include any amount you receive from:
- tax-free scholarships or fellowships
- federal Pell grants
- tuition grants from an employer
- refunds from the school
- other non-taxable assistance you receive, other than gifts and inheritances
TurboTax Tip:
The credit amount is equal to 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified expenses plus 25% of the expenses in excess of $2,000, with a maximum annual credit per student of $2,500.
Calculating the American Opportunity Tax Credit
Only one American Opportunity Tax Credit is available per eligible student each tax year.
- 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.
- You can’t claim more than one tax benefit per year for each student.
The credit amount is equal to:
- 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified expenses plus 25% of the expenses in excess of $2,000.
- The maximum annual credit per student is $2,500.
Claiming the American Opportunity Tax Credit
Either the student or another taxpayer who claims the student as a dependent can take the credit on a personal tax return. You need to complete the relevant sections of IRS Form 8863 and include it with your income tax return to claim the credit.
For tax year 2024, the credit begins to phase out for:
- single taxpayers who have adjusted gross income between $80,000 and $90,000
- joint tax filers when adjusted gross income is between $160,000 and $180,000
The credit is unavailable to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds the $90,000 and $180,000 thresholds.
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