American Opportunity Credit-Effective Date?

[zeros]

Is this law effective for the complete year of 2009? If tuition was paid in the early part of 2009, can the AOC be taken? Just wondering.

[New York Enrolled Agent]

Is this law effective for the complete year of 2009? If tuition was paid in the early part of 2009, can the AOC be taken? Just wondering.

§25A(i)

(i) American opportunity tax credit.
In the case of any taxable year beginning in 2009 or 2010—

(1) Increase in credit.
The Hope Scholarship Credit shall be an amount equal to the sum of—

(A) 100 percent of so much of the qualified tuition and related expenses paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year (for education furnished to the eligible student during any academic period beginning in such taxable year) as does not exceed $2,000, plus

(B) 25 percent of such expenses so paid as exceeds $2,000 but does not exceed $4,000.