I am a dentist, went to dentistry school right after high school. I graduated last year in June, would I be eligible for American Opportunity Tax credit or do I have to take Lifetime Learning Credit?

Thank you for your help.

Zip Code: 78240

Hi,

Here is the answer that I found on the IRS' website:

The credit can be claimed for qualified expenses paid for any of the first four years of post-secondary education.

Here is the full text:

Six Facts about the American Opportunity Tax Credit

IRS Special Edition Tax Tip 2009-11

Many parents and college students will be able to offset the cost of college over the next two years under the new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This tax credit is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Here are six important facts the IRS wants you to know about the new American Opportunity Tax Credit:

This credit, which expands and renames the existing Hope Credit, can be claimed for qualified tuition and related expenses that you pay for higher education in 2009 and 2010. Qualified tuition and related expenses include tuition, related fees, books and other required course Materials.


The credit is equal to 100 percent of the first $2,000 spent and 25 percent of the next $2,000 per student each year. Therefore, the full $2,500 credit may be available to a taxpayer who pays $4,000 or more in qualifying expenses for an eligible student.


The full credit is generally available to eligible taxpayers who make less than $80,000 or $160,000 for married couples filing a joint return. The credit is gradually reduced, however, for taxpayers with incomes above these levels.


Forty percent of the credit is refundable, so even those who owe no tax can get up to $1,000 of the credit for each eligible student as cash back.


The credit can be claimed for qualified expenses paid for any of the first four years of post-secondary education.


You cannot claim the tuition and fees tax deduction in the same year that you claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit. You must choose to either take the credit or the deduction, which ever is more beneficial for you.
Complete details on the American Opportunity Tax Credit and other key tax provisions of the Recovery Act are available at the official IRS Web site at IRS.gov/Recovery.

Zip Code: 01801

Thank you very much. That helped.

Zip Code: 78240