2025 filing season education credit key messages
- To see if you are eligible to claim education tax credits, use the Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov.
- For information about eligibility for education tax credits, see Publication 970.
- In general, a student is required to have a Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, to be eligible for an education tax credit. The student receives this form from the school attended.
- If you claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), the law requires you to include the school’s Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- If you paid for college or other post-secondary education in 2024, you may receive some tax savings on your federal tax return or receive a refund, even if you’re enrolled in an online program or studying outside of the United States.
- A student can only be claimed for the AOTC for four tax years. However, the years don’t have to be consecutive, and courses can be taken online.
- You may qualify for the AOTC for your dependent’s post-secondary education expenses if you and the student each have a taxpayer identification number (TIN) issued by the due date of the return (including extensions). The TIN can be a Social Security number, an individual taxpayer identification number or an adoption taxpayer identification number.
- You may qualify for the AOTC for your post-secondary education expenses if you have a taxpayer identification number (TIN) issued by the due date of the return (including extensions). The TIN can be a Social Security number, an individual taxpayer identification number or an adoption taxpayer identification number.