<p>What exactly is this? This was attached to both my parents income tax returns and got me researching. Can't understand how it works exactly, can someone explain this to me? Advantages/disadvantages?</p>
<p>Hope scholarship credit is also coming up a lot.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf[/url]”>http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf</a></p>
<p>It will vary with your family’s circumstances which is better to take: one of the tax credits or the tuition & fees deduction; if you qualify, you can only take one.</p>
<p>I suggest you have your parents look at it as they are likely to understand. Usually a tax program like Turbo Tax will determine which is best. Mine has been turning out to be the AOC lately, as it is a credit (dollar for dollar) as opposed to a deduction. There are income limits, restrictions on what expenses can be included, etc., so read the instructions carefully.</p>
<p>Also, use the Search function on this forum for ‘AOC’ or other terms as there are many threads discussing educational expenses and taxes.</p>
<p>Be awarw that the AOC, as it stands now, will expire on 12/31/12. So, please bug your representatives in DC to extend this tax benefit.</p>