How to think about it step by step

1. Confirm the student is in an eligible school and received a 1098-T.
2. Confirm the student is in the first four academic years of higher education.
3. Confirm the student is working toward a degree or recognized credential.
4. Add up qualified education expenses for that student.
5. Use Form 8863 to calculate the credit and attach it to the return.  

Best use case

AOTC is usually the first credit people check for an undergraduate student because it has the larger maximum benefit and can be partially refundable. 

5) Step-by-step for the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)

Use the LLC when the AOTC does not fit, especially for later years of school, graduate programs, or job-skill courses.

What it is

The LLC is worth up to $2,000 per tax return, per year. Unlike AOTC, it is nonrefundable. 

When it applies

The LLC can be used for all years of postsecondary education, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree courses, and also for courses to acquire or improve job skills. There is no limit on the number of years you can claim it. 

How to think about it step by step

1. Confirm the student attended an eligible school.
2. Confirm you paid qualified tuition and related expenses.
3. Use LLC when the student is not eligible for AOTC or when the education is outside the first four years.
4. Complete Form 8863 and attach it to the return.  

Best use case

LLC is commonly used for:

• graduate school,
• continuing education,
• professional courses,
• work-skill improvement courses.  

6) Important rule: you cannot claim both AOTC and LLC for the same student in the same year

Your notes say “one or the other but not both.” The practical rule is that these two credits are figured on the same form, but you cannot use both credits for the same student’s same expenses in the same year. IRS instructions and Form 8863 govern how that is calculated. 

7) How to choose between AOTC and LLC

A simple decision path:

• Choose AOTC if the student is in the first four years of higher education and otherwise qualifies, because it can be worth more and is partly refundable.  
• Choose LLC if the student is in graduate school, taking career development classes, taking classes to improve job skills, or has already used up the four AOTC years.  

8) Step-by-step for the student loan interest deduction

This is different from the education credits because it applies to interest paid on a qualified student loan, not tuition itself.

What it does

You may deduct the lesser of $2,500 or the amount of student loan interest actually paid during the year. This deduction is an adjustment to income, so many taxpayers can claim it even if they do not itemize deductions. 

2025 income limits

For tax year 2025, the deduction phases out when MAGI is:

• $85,000 to $100,000 for single, head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse,
• $170,000 to $200,000 for married filing jointly.
  If MAGI is at or above the top of the range, the deduction is eliminated.  

How to think about it step by step

1. Confirm you paid interest on a qualified student loan during the year.
2. Add up the interest paid.
3. Compare that number with the $2,500 maximum.
4. Check your MAGI to see whether the deduction is reduced or eliminated.
5. Claim the allowable amount as an adjustment to income on your federal return.  

Example

If you paid $1,800 in qualifying student loan interest and your MAGI is under the phaseout limit, you may be able to deduct $1,800.

If you paid $3,200 in interest and qualify, the maximum deduction is still $2,500. 

9) Step-by-step for the business deduction for work-related education

This is not for everyone. It usually matters most if you are self-employed or in one of a few special categories.

Who may qualify

IRS guidance says self-employed individuals, Armed Forces reservists, certain artists, and certain government officials may be able to deduct qualifying work-related education as business expenses. Individuals with a disability may be able to deduct certain impairment-related work expenses connected to the education.