Can I claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit?

Have you claimed it for four years prior? If not, you should be fine since you received your bachelor's degree.

It is for expenses paid in the first four years.

quote:

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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.

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The quote above comes right from the IRS Q&A for the AOTC.

I agree the four years don't have to be consecutive.

I've seen it done by other CPAs where they claim the credit until the credit has been claimed for four years provided it's all undergrad.

OP, check with your parents to see if/when they claimed it.