Skip to main content
March 30, 2025
Question

Amend a previous tax return because Educational credit not included

  • March 30, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views

I am an undergraduate student, and in my 2023 tax return, I mistakenly checked the box stating that ‘Someone can claim you as a dependent.’ However, I was not a dependent since my parents live outside the U.S. and do not file U.S. taxes.

I had $2K in wages and $19K in taxable scholarship income (excess over qualified expenses). Because I filed as a dependent, I did not claim the AOTC and paid $728 in federal taxes.

If I amend my return to correct my dependency status, can I claim the nonrefundable AOTC and recover the $728 I paid?  I am aware that I could not get the refundable part of the AOTC because I do not qualify for that.

2 replies

JohnB5677
March 30, 2025

Yes, you can recover the $724 and possibly more.  

 

  • The Refundable amount is calculated on line 24 of your 1040 taxes.
  • That number can not be less than $728.

How do I amend my federal tax return for a prior year?

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
March 30, 2025

Since your scholarship was more than your qualified education expenses you would not get any credit. 

March 30, 2025

Thanks, but what if I reallocate 4k from the scholarship to room & board?

March 30, 2025

You can do that to see if the tax on the extra scholarship income is outweighed by the credit.