You make the call By: National Association of Tax Professionals
March 27, 2025

Question: Victoria and Francisco have one son, Carlos, who is 18 and started his first year in college last fall. They provide over 50% of his support and will claim him as a dependent on their 2024 income tax return. They have never claimed education credits before and meet all the requirements to claim the American opportunity tax credit (AOTC) (e.g., have not been convicted of any felony drug offense, income requirements, etc.). [AOTC | Internal Revenue Service] Although Carlos received a partial scholarship to pursue an undergraduate degree in medicine, he still had eligible tuition expenses that his parents paid. Carlos does attend school full-time and does not work. Can Victoria and Francisco claim the AOTC?

Answer: Yes, Victoria and Francisco can claim the AOTC. Carlos is in his first year of college, they have never claimed the AOTC for him before and they meet all the other requirements. The maximum credit is up to $2,500.

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penAbout National Association of Tax Professionals

The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) is the largest association dedicated to equipping tax professionals with the resources, connections and education they need to provide the highest level of service to their clients. NATP is comprised of over 23,000 leading tax professionals who believe in a superior standard of ethics and exemplify professional excellence. Members rely on NATP to deliver professional connections, content expertise and advocacy that provides them with the support they need to best serve their clients. The organization welcomes all tax professionals in their quest to continually meet the needs of the public, no matter where they are in their careers.

The NATP headquarters is located in Appleton, WI. To learn more, visit www.natptax.com.

Information included in this article is accurate as of the publish date. This post is not reflective of tax law changes or IRS guidance that may have occurred after the date of publishing.

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