Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)

What Is the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)?

The Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) is a provision of the U.S. federal income tax code that lets parents and students lower their tax liability by up to $2,000 to help offset higher education expenses.

A maximum of $2,000 per tax return or 20% of the first $10,000 of qualified education expenses. Unfortunately, the LLC is not refundable. This means you can use the LLC to pay the taxes you owe, but you don't get a refund back of any of the credit, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

This credit may be claimed year after year, without a limit. However, it cannot be combined with the American Opportunity Tax Credit in the same tax year.

How the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) Works

The LLC may be claimed when a student is enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree courses. The credit may also be used for courses in specific career-related skills.

To be eligible for the LLC, a student must be enrolled at an educational institution considered eligible by the Internal Revenue Service. The student must be taking higher education courses towards a degree or a recognized educational credential that provides or improves job skills.

According to the IRS: "An eligible educational institution is a school offering education beyond high school. It is any college, university, trade school, or other post-secondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program run by the U.S. Department of Education."

Finally, they must be enrolled at a qualifying institution for at least one academic period that began within the tax year for which they’re claiming the credit. The IRS defines “academic period” as a semester, trimester, quarter, summer session, or other period determined by the school.

The IRS also publishes an interactive mobile application — Am I Eligible to Claim an Education Credit? — that students can use to find out if they are eligible to claim an education credit.

Income Limitations for the LLC

In order to claim the full credit, a taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for the tax year 2020 (the most recent information available on the IRS website) must be $58,000 or less, if they file as an individual. For taxpayers filing jointly, income must be $116,000 or less.

Taxpayers filing individually whose MAGI is is between $59,000 and $69,000 ($118,000 and $138,000 if you file a joint return) are gradually phased out. Taxpayers with MAGI of over $69,000, or $138,000 for joint filers, cannot claim the credit at all.

How to Claim the LLC

To be eligible to claim the AOTC or LLC, the law requires a taxpayer or their dependent to get Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from an eligible educational institution. This statement helps you determine what your credit will be. The form will have an amount in Box 1 to show the amounts received during the year. But this amount may not be the amount you can claim. To research qualified education expenses, see the IRS factsheet Qualified Education Expenses for more information on what amount to claim.

Check the Form 1098-T to make sure it is correct. If it isn't correct or you do not receive the form, contact your school. To claim the LLC, you must complete Form 8863. Attach the completed form to your Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.

You cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit at the same time. Figure out what you are eligible for, and what is best for your situation.

Other Tax Credits Related to Education Expenses

The U.S. government subsidizes individuals' higher education expenses through tax credits, tax deductions, and tax-advantaged savings plans. Each of these programs lowers income tax liability for students or their parents. The subsidies include the Lifetime Learning Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), the tuition and fees deduction, and 529 savings plans.

The AOTC is a credit specifically for education expenses during the first four years of a student’s higher education. The AOTC offers a maximum annual credit of $2,500 per eligible student. If the credit brings the amount of tax you owe to zero, you can have 40% of any remaining amount of the credit (up to $1,000) refunded to you.

The tuition and fees deduction allows taxpayers to deduct up to $4,000 from their taxable income in eligible higher education expenses when filing their taxes. 529 savings plans help people to save money for future tuition through a tax-advantaged savings plan.

Lifetime Learning Credit FAQs

How Much Is the Lifetime Learning Credit?

The LLC is worth up to $2000 or 20% of the first $10,000 of qualified education expenses, each tax year, depending on your MAGI.

How Many Times Can You Claim the Lifetime Learning Credit?

There is no limit to the number of times you can claim the LCC during your lifetime. If you are eligible, you can claim it every tax year.

How Do You Calculate the Lifetime Learning Credit?

In order to calculate the Lifetime Learning Credit, you must use IRS Form 8863, which is a two-page form used for figuring out taxpayers' educational tax credits. You need to write down your qualified expenses, either the max amount of up to $10,000 or your actual expenses. The credit can be up to $2,000. The form also has a section that shows how your MAGI will impact your credit as well.

Can Parents Claim the Lifetime Learning Credit?

Yes. Parents can claim the Lifetime Learning Credit on the behalf of a dependent child. However, you can only claim it once, so if you have four children, you still only get the maximum amount of the credit, which is $2000 per tax return. You don't get the credit for each child.

What’s the Difference Between the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit?

The American Opportunity Credit, formerly the Hope Credit, can be used for the first four years of undergraduate studies only. The Lifetime Learning Credit can be used for undergraduate and graduate studies, plus some professional programs and trade schools may be eligible.

The American Opportunity Credit is worth up to $2,500, and if you have more than one student listed as a dependent, you may claim multiple credits. The Lifetime Learning Credit can only be used once for up to $2,000 on an annual tax return.

When Does the Lifetime Learning Credit Expire?

The LLC doesn't expire. You can use it annually,

The Bottom Line

The U.S. government's tax credits, tax deductions, and tax-advantaged savings plans are all useful tools to help afford the rising costs of higher education. If you are eligible for these subsidies, it is worthwhile to fill out the necessary paperwork at tax time. Those who qualify for the lifetime learning credit will find it a good way to help afford both undergraduate and graduate school, plus professional degree courses and programs that assist with acquiring and improving job skills.