Student Tax Credits for Education - College Tutition Tax Credits

Tax credits are frequently more valuable than tax deductions because credits reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar, while deductions only reduce your taxable income.

There are two major education tax credits available to students to help offset the costs of higher education: The American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

The American Opportunity Credit (formerly The Hope Credit)

Of the two education credits currently available, the American Opportunity Credit is the most valuable. The American Opportunity Credit is an expanded version of the Hope Credit, and has been extended through 2017. Here is what you need to know about the American Opportunity Credit:

The American Opportunity Credit applies only to the first four years of post-secondary school education (college, vocational school, etc.)
You can claim up to $2,500 per eligible student, per year.
The credit covers 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition, required fees, and qualified expenses, plus 25% of the next $2,000.
40% of the credit is refundable, so you may receive $1,000 per eligible student as a tax refund even if you owe no tax.
Each student for which you claim the credit must have been enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period which began during the tax year.
In 2012, the maximum amount of the credit is gradually decreased, or phased out, for individuals with an adjusted gross income between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 and $180,000 if married filing jointly), and is unavailable to those with an AGI of $90,000 or more ($180,000 or more if filing jointly).
You may claim the credit for education expenses you paid for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent; but you may not take the credit for yourself if you are claimed as someone else's dependent.
Qualified expenses include tuition and required fees, books, supplies, equipment, and other required course materials (but not room and board).

The Lifetime Learning Credit

If you, your spouse, or your dependent do not qualify for the American Opportunity Credit, you may still be able to claim the Lifetime Learning Credit. Here is what you need to know about this education credit:

The Lifetime Learning Credit applies to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree courses, and even to post-graduate courses that help improve your job skills.
The credit is available for any and all years of post-secondary education, and also for adult and continuing education courses. There is no limit on how many years you can claim the credit.
There is no minimum enrollment requirement.
The amount of your credit will be 20% of the first $10,000 of combined post-secondary tuition and fees you paid, totaling no more than $2,000 (per year, not per student).
For 2012, the amount of the credit begins to phase out (decrease) for those with an adjusted gross income of $52,000 ($104,000 if married filing jointly) or more. The credit is completely phased out (worth $0) for those with an AGI of $62,000 or more ($124,000 or more if filing jointly).
The Lifetime Learning Credit is not refundable, so it will not be paid to you in a refund--it simply decreases your tax liability.
You may claim the credit for qualified expenses you paid for yourself (if you were not claimed as a dependent), your spouse, or your dependent.
Qualified expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, and other course materials as long as they are required (room and board is not included).

Can I Claim Both the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit?

You cannot claim both the Lifetime Learning Credit and the American Opportunity Credit for the same student in the same year, but you can claim one credit for one student and the other credit for another student.

Example: You could claim the American Opportunity Credit for each of your two children, and also claim the Lifetime Learning Credit for yourself and for your spouse. Or you could claim the American Opportunity Credit for all four of you, if you all qualified. But you can't claim both credits for the same person in the same year.

Which Student Tax Credit Do I Choose?

Remember that the American Opportunity Credit is generally the more valuable tax credit, but it is only good for the first four years of higher education, and has stricter enrollment requirements. If you qualify for the Lifetime Learning Credit, you can claim it any number of years (but there is a tighter income restriction). Claim the student tax credit that is more beneficial to you for your situation.

Learn about tax deductions for students.

Find out about tax-free college savings plans.

See an overview of all available student tax breaks.

Use our free tax tools to calculate taxes or determine elegibility for certain tax credits.