Tax Credit

Tax Credit at a Glance

Tax credit up to $2,500 ofout-of-pocket cost of tuition and related expenses including course materialspaid during the taxable year.
Eligible for the first four yearsof college.
100% of the first $2,000 and 25% of the next $2,000.
40% of the credit is refundable with the maximum refundable amount of $1,000.
Phase-out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $80,000 or $160,000 for married couples filing jointly (AGI phase out limits are $90,000 individual, $180,000 married couples filing jointly).
Helps an estimated 4 million additional students attend college than the previous tax credit.
$16.581 billion in total benefits for students and families in 2015.
Over 10 million students and families claimed the AOTC in 2015 with an average benefit of $1,645.