Question

Paolo and Isadora Shaw are married, file a joint tax return, and have one dependent child, Dante. The Shaws report modified AGI of $148,000. The couple paid $12,900 of tuition and $19,335 for room and board for Dante, a full-time first-year student at Serene College and claimed as a dependent by Paola and Isidora. Determine the amount of the Shaws' American Opportunity credit for the year.

Answer 1

Answer: $2,500

Explanation:

The American opportunity tax credit (AOTC) is a measure by the IRS that is a credit for QUALIFIED education expenses paid on Eligible students.

A maximum of $2,500 in credit can be acquired per eligible student.

To qualify for the full amount of this tax credit, your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) must be $80,000 or less ($160,000 or less for married filing jointly).

The Shaws are married and file jointly with a MAGI of $148,000 which is less than the $160,000 limit which means that they are due for the entire credit amount of $2,500 as they pay education expenses for their ONE dependant child assuming Dante meets the various eligibility criteria.

The amount of the Shaws' American Opportunity credit for the year is $2,500.

If you need any clarification, do comment. Cheers.