Education Credit
The American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits are available to individuals for out-of-pocket tuition expenses incurred by students pursuing college degrees, graduate degrees or vocational training.
The American Opportunity Credit covers four years of post-secondary education, adds required course materials to qualifying expenses, makes the credit available at higher income levels, and increases the amount of the credit.
The Lifetime Learning Credit is available to students attending a post-secondary educational program and who are not eligible to take the American Opportunity Credit. Either the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit can be claimed for each eligible student, but you cannot claim both in any year.
Each student can elect whether to claim the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Credit, based on the credit with the most tax benefit.
For individual taxpayers, the American Opportunity Credit phases out if modified adjusted gross income is between $80,000 and $90,000. For married filing joint, the credit phases out if MAGI is between $160,000 and $180,000.
For more information see IRS Publication 970.
For individual taxpayers, the Lifetime Learning Credit phases out if MAGI is between $51,000 and $61,000. For married filing joint, the credit phases out if MAGI is between $102,000 and $122,000. These limits are significantly lower than the American Opportunity Credit.
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To claim either credit, complete Form 8863 and attach the form to your Form 1040 or Form 1040A.
For more information see IRS Publication 970.
The American Opportunity Credit covers four years of post-secondary education, adds required course materials to qualifying expenses, makes the credit available at higher income levels, and increases the amount of the credit.
The Lifetime Learning Credit is available to students attending a post-secondary educational program and who are not eligible to take the American Opportunity Credit. Either the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit can be claimed for each eligible student, but you cannot claim both in any year.
Each student can elect whether to claim the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Credit, based on the credit with the most tax benefit.
- The American Opportunity Credit is limited on a per-student basis.
- The Lifetime Learning Credit is limited on a per-household basis.
American Opportunity Credit
The American Opportunity Credit is worth up to $2,500 per student for four years of post-secondary education. The credit is 40% refundable, up to $1,000, so it can benefit even those with no tax liability.For individual taxpayers, the American Opportunity Credit phases out if modified adjusted gross income is between $80,000 and $90,000. For married filing joint, the credit phases out if MAGI is between $160,000 and $180,000.
Eligibility
- You must have paid qualified education expenses for yourself, your spouse or your dependent.
- The student is completing the first four years of post-secondary education at a qualified educational institution.
- The student is attending school to obtain an undergraduate degree or other recognized education credential.
- The student is enrolled for at least half-time of one academic period that began in the tax year.
- The student has no felony drug convictions.
Determining the Amount of Credit
For each student, the amount of the credit equals the sum of:- 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified expenses paid for the eligible student
- 25% of the next $2,000 of qualified expenses paid for the eligible student
For more information see IRS Publication 970.
Lifetime Learning Credit
The Lifetime Learning Credit provides a maximum non-refundable tax credit of $2,000 per year for all students attending an eligible educational institution in your household. The Lifetime Learning Credit may be limited by your income and amount of tax.For individual taxpayers, the Lifetime Learning Credit phases out if MAGI is between $51,000 and $61,000. For married filing joint, the credit phases out if MAGI is between $102,000 and $122,000. These limits are significantly lower than the American Opportunity Credit.
Eligibility
- Any student enrolled in one or more courses at an eligible educational institution.
- There are no requirement to be seeking a degree or to be enrolled at least half-time.
- The institution can include nondegree programs to acquire or improve job skills.
- There is no limit on the number of years you can claim the credit.
Determining the Amount of Credit
- The amount of the Lifetime Learning Credit is 20% of the first $10,000 paid for eligible education expenses for all eligible students.
- The maximum amount of credit is $2,000 per household.
- The amount of the credit will be reduced or eliminated if you exceed certain income levels.
Requirements to Claim American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Credit
- You paid qualified higher education expenses for an eligible student.
- The eligible student is you, your spouse or a dependent for whom you are claiming an exemption.
- The expenses were paid for the current tax year or the first three months of the succeeding tax year.
- Your filing status is single, head of household, qualifying widow(er) or married filing jointly.
- You cannot be claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return.
- You can claim the American Opportunity Credit for each student (taxpayer, spouse or dependent) on your return, but only one Lifetime Learning Credit per return, regardless of the number of students on the return. In addition, you may claim either the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit, but not both, or you may claim the tuition and fees deduction.
Qualifying Expenses
- Expenses are for tuition and related expenses required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution.
- An eligible educational institution is a college, university, vocational school or other post-secondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administrated by the Department of Education.
- Related expenses include student activity fees, expenses for course-related books, supplies, and equipment included in education expenses. These expenses must be paid to the institution as part of enrollment or attendance requirements. (Expenses for books and course-related supplies are treated differently by each credit; see the descriptions above for more information.)
- The expenses are not paid with a tax-free scholarship, fellowship, grant or through an employer-provided education assistance program. This includes Pell Grants and Veterans' educational assistance.
Non-Qualifying Expenses
- Room and board
- Insurance
- Transportation
- Medical expenses
- Expenses related to sports, games, hobbies, and non-credit courses, unless the course is required as part of the degree program
American Opportunity vs. Lifetime Learning Credit
| American Opportunity Credit | <><>Lifetime Learning Credit | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $2,500 per eligible student | <><>Up to $2,000 credit per return | ||
| Available only until the first four years of post secondary education are completed. | <><> Available for all years of post secondary education and for courses to acquire or improve job skills. | ||
| Available only for four years for each eligible student. | <><> Available for an unlimited number of years. | ||
| Student must be enrolled at least half-time in at least one academic period during the year | <><>Available for one or more courses. | ||
| Student must not have any felony drug convictions on record | <><>Felony drug conviction rule doesn't apply. | ||
To claim either credit, complete Form 8863 and attach the form to your Form 1040 or Form 1040A.
For more information see IRS Publication 970.
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