Hope Credit

For tax years 2009 and 2010 undergraduate students may qualify for the Hope Credit (now called the American Opportunity Credit) for four years instead of two and be eligible for a refund of this credit up to 40% of the credit. Also what qualifies as education expenses for the Hope Credit has been expanded. This is great news since the Hope Credit offers the largest amount of credit – up to $2,500.00 per student.

Previous to tax year 2009, this credit was only available for the first two years of undergraduate education, was not refundable, and was limited to $1,800.00 per student. Also previous to 2009 books and supplies for school did not count as part of qualified education expenses. Now for a student’s first four years at a qualified educational institution, the credit has been expanded to include both tuition expenses as well as books and supplies. (more…)