The Hope Credit

• The credit applies for the first two years of post-secondary education, such as college or vocational school. It does not apply to the third, fourth, or higher years of undergraduate programs, to graduate programs, or to professional-level programs.
• It can be worth up to $1,800 ($3,600 if a student in a Midwestern disaster area) per eligible student, per year.
• You’re allowed a credit of 100% of the first $1,200 ($2,400 if a student in a Midwestern disaster area) of qualified tuition and related fees paid during the tax year, plus 50% of the next $1,200 ($2,400 if a student in a Midwestern disaster area).
• Each student must be enrolled at least half-time for at least one academic period which began during the year.
•  The student must be free of any federal or state felony conviction for possessing or distributing a controlled substance as of the end of the tax year.

The Lifetime Learning Credit

• The credit applies to undergraduate, graduate and professional degree courses, including instruction to acquire or improve job skills, regardless of the number of years in the program.
• If you qualify, your credit equals 20% (40% if a student in a Midwestern disaster area) of the first $10,000 of post-secondary tuition and fees you pay during the year, for a maximum credit of $2,000 ($4,000 if a student in a Midwestern disaster area) per tax return.

You cannot claim both the Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits for the same student in the same year. You also cannot claim either credit if you claim a tuition and fees deduction for the same student in the same year. To qualify for either credit, you must pay post-secondary tuition and certain related expenses for yourself, your spouse or your dependent. The parent or the student may claim the credit, but not both. Students who are claimed as a dependent cannot claim the credit.

These credits are phased out for Modified Adjusted Gross Income over $48,000 ($96,000 for married filing jointly) and eliminated completely for Modified Adjusted Gross Income of $58,000 or more ($116,000 for married filing jointly). If the taxpayer is married, the credit may be claimed only on a joint return.

For more information, see Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, which can be obtained online at IRS.gov or by calling the IRS at 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

The Hope Credit applies for the first two years of post-secondary education. It can be worth up to $1,650 per student, per year. A credit of 100 percent of the first $1,100 of qualified tuition and related fees paid by the student is eligible during the tax year, plus 50 percent of the next $1,100. And the student must be enrolled at least halftime for at least one academic period which began during the year.

The Lifetime Learning Credit applies regardless of the number of years the student is in the post-secondary program. This credit equals 20 percent of the first $10,000 of tuition and fees paid by the student during the year.
However, a student cannot claim both the Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits for the same year. The credits can be claimed by the parent or the student, but not both. And students who are claimed as a dependent cannot claim the credit.
For more information, you can visit www.irs.gov and look up Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education.