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Form 8863 Calculator

Work out the American opportunity and lifetime learning credits on Form 8863, including the phase-out and refundable part.

Updated November 4, 2026. Free, no sign-up; everything runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored.

Form 8863 education credit calculator

Filing statusStudents eligible for the AOTC (first 4 years)Qualified expenses per AOTC student ($)Expenses for the lifetime learning credit, other students ($)Modified AGI ($)

American opportunity credit

–

–Refundable part (40%)

–Lifetime learning credit

–Phase-out

The two credits on Form 8863

American opportunity tax credit (AOTC): 100% of the first $2,000 and 25% of the next $2,000 of tuition, fees and course materials, up to $2,500 per student, for the first 4 years of college, at least half-time. 40% (up to $1,000) is refundable. Details: American opportunity tax credit.
Lifetime learning credit (LLC): 20% of up to $10,000 of expenses, up to $2,000 per return, for any year of college, graduate school or job-skills courses; nonrefundable. See lifetime learning credit.

You can't claim both for the same student in the same year. Both phase out between $80,000 and $90,000 of modified AGI ($160,000-$180,000 joint); married filing separately can't claim either. Amounts come from your Form 1098-T, less tax-free scholarships and grants.

Worked example

A single parent with $85,000 of MAGI pays $5,000 of tuition for a first-year student. The full AOTC would be $2,500, but MAGI is halfway through the phase-out, so the credit is $1,250, of which $500 is refundable. At $78,000 the full $2,500 applies. Saving ahead? See the 529 calculator; 529 withdrawals can't pay the same expenses you claim a credit for.

Common questions

What is Form 8863?

The form to claim the American opportunity and lifetime learning education credits.

How much is the American opportunity credit?

Up to $2,500 per student; 40%, up to $1,000, is refundable.

What are the education credit income limits?

Phase-out from $80,000 to $90,000 of MAGI, or $160,000 to $180,000 joint.

Sources

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General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.