Child filing his own return in order to get the credit for AOC

[Jeter2016]

Parents income is over the threshold for filing the AOC and getting the credit from the son going to college.
Child does not have any income, full time student, living at home- can he file his own return, taking himself as the dependent and then being able to take the 1,000.00 credit on his own return.

[David1980]

Probably not. Under age 24? See 8863 instructions for line 7.

[dtlee]

A full-time student child under age 24 who has living parents who is not earning at least 50% of what his total support amounts to can definitely claim the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit....

...assuming he lies and cheats on his tax return.