American Opportunity Credit

[JT2307]

If someone decides to go back to college at 40 years old for a new 4 year degree and already graduated from college at the age of 22 with a different degree, would they qualify for the refundable credit?

[ATSMAN]

If someone decides to go back to college at 40 years old for a new 4 year degree and already graduated from college at the age of 22 with a different degree, would they qualify for the refundable credit?

Here is the qualification requirement:

For the American opportunity tax credit, an eligible student is a student who: (1) is enrolled in a program leading toward a degree, certificate or other recognized post-secondary educational credential; (2) has not completed the first four years of post-secondary education as of the beginning of the taxable year; (3) for at least one academic period is carrying at least ½ of the normal full-time work load for the course of study the student is pursuing; and (4) has not been convicted of a felony drug offense.

Item #2 test fails because as of the beginning of the 2015 taxable year you client HAD ALREADY completed the first four years of post-secondary education. The law does not give you a second pass at another major!