I have previously claimed the Hope Scholarship Credit for two years for my undergraduate education. Can I claim the American Opportunity tax credit for the for the four years that I went to the nursing school from 2008-2011?

ANSWER

The BIDaWIZ Team's Answer:

You cannot claim either the American Opportunity Credit or the Hope Scholarship credit for more than four years. If a student has not completed the first four years of post-secondary education as of the beginning of the taxable year, and has not claimed the Hope scholarship credit and/or the American opportunity tax credit for more than four taxable years, the student can claim the American opportunity tax credit for qualified expenses paid during the entire taxable year. This is referenced IRS Publication 970.