Under the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which expense type is not eligible for consideration?

The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) is designed to help students and their families offset the costs of higher education. To be eligible for the AOTC, certain qualifying expenses must be incurred, which include tuition fees, mandatory student fees, and course materials.

Room and board are considered living expenses, which are not eligible for the credit. The AOTC specifically targets costs directly associated with attending college or university, such as tuition and required fees. While room and board are significant expenses for students, they do not directly relate to the quality of education being received and therefore do not qualify for this tax credit.

In summary, while tuition fees, mandatory student fees, and course materials are accepted expenses under the AOTC, room and board do not qualify as they are associated more with living accommodations rather than educational costs.