Two federal education tax credits can lower the cost of college and other eligible education: the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC). They are claimed on Form 8863 and directly reduce your tax, dollar for dollar. The 2026 amounts and income phase-outs are unchanged from 2025 because the relevant thresholds are fixed in statute. This guide compares the two so you can see which applies. Figures come from IRS Publication 970 and 26 U.S.C. §25A.
American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)
The AOTC is aimed at undergraduates in their first four years of postsecondary education.
- Maximum: up to $2,500 per student per year.
- How it is computed: 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified expenses, plus 25% of the next $2,000.
- Refundable portion: 40% of the credit (up to $1,000) is refundable, so it can increase your refund even if you owe no tax.
- Eligibility: the student must be in their first four years of higher education, enrolled at least half-time, in a degree or credential program, and not have a federal or state felony drug conviction at year end.
- Limit: you can claim the AOTC for a given student for at most four tax years.
Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)
The LLC is broader and not limited by years or degree status.
- Maximum: up to $2,000 per tax return (not per student).
- How it is computed: 20% of the first $10,000 of qualified expenses.
- Refundable? No — it can reduce your tax to zero but cannot generate a refund.
- Eligibility: no half-time or degree requirement. It covers graduate school, professional development, and job-skills courses, and there is no limit on the number of years you can claim it.
- Enrollment: the student must take at least one course at an eligible institution.
The shared income phase-out
Both credits use the same modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) phase-out, set by 26 U.S.C. §25A and not indexed for inflation:
| Filing status | Full credit | Phase-out range | No credit above |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, head of household, qualifying surviving spouse | MAGI ≤ $80,000 | $80,000 – $90,000 | $90,000 |
| Married filing jointly | MAGI ≤ $160,000 | $160,000 – $180,000 | $180,000 |
Married-filing-separately taxpayers cannot claim either credit. Because the thresholds are fixed, more taxpayers fall out of eligibility each year as incomes rise.
Qualified expenses
- AOTC: tuition and required enrollment fees, plus required course materials (books, supplies, and equipment needed for a course, even if bought elsewhere).
- LLC: tuition and required fees; generally, books and supplies count only if you must buy them from the institution as a condition of enrollment.
Room and board, transportation, insurance, and medical expenses do not qualify for either credit. Scholarships and tax-free grants reduce the qualified expenses you can use.
You cannot double-claim
You may not claim both the AOTC and the LLC for the same student in the same year. If you have more than one student, you can claim the AOTC for one and the LLC for another on the same return.
Which should you consider
- Undergraduate, first four years, at least half-time: the AOTC is usually better — it is larger and partly refundable.
- Graduate school, part-time study, or job-skills courses: the LLC is the only option, since the AOTC does not apply.
- Higher-income families: if your MAGI is in or above the phase-out range, neither credit is available, and you may instead look at the tax-free growth of a 529 plan (a savings vehicle, not a federal credit).
Run your own numbers with the federal income tax estimator to see how a credit would change your bottom line.
Disclaimer: This article is general educational information, not tax, legal, or investment advice. Dollar amounts come from the 2026 sources listed at the end of this article and may change. Before you act, talk to a licensed CPA, EA, or tax attorney about your own situation.