2024 Lifetime Learning Credit
For 2024, the Lifetime Learning Credit is $2,000 (Maximum credit), 20% (Rate on qualified expenses) and $10,000 (Qualified expenses limit).
Effective 2024-01-01Source: Publication 970 (2024), Tax Benefits for Education (IRS)Verified 2026-08-29
Compared with 2023
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2023.
| Item | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum credit | $2,000 | $2,000 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
| Rate on qualified expenses | 20% | 20% | +0% (+0.0%) |
| Qualified expenses limit | $10,000 | $10,000 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Taxpayers who paid qualified education expenses for themselves, a spouse, or a dependent enrolled in eligible courses at an eligible educational institution and who wish to claim the Lifetime Learning Credit for the 2024 tax year.
What changed this year, and why
Updated figures for the 2024 tax year for the Lifetime Learning Credit as published by the IRS in Publication 970 (2024).
Common questions
- What is the maximum Lifetime Learning Credit for 2024?
- The maximum Lifetime Learning Credit for 2024 is $2,000 per tax return. The credit is nonrefundable, meaning it can reduce your tax to zero but any excess is not refunded.
- Is there a per-student limit on the Lifetime Learning Credit?
- No. The Lifetime Learning Credit is claimed per tax return, not per student. The $2,000 maximum applies to the total of qualified expenses for all eligible students on the return.
Every amount on this page is a published figure rather than yours. The Lifetime Learning Credit calculator takes the number you enter and works it out against them, showing which published figure it used.
The cap is per tax return, not per student
The Lifetime Learning Credit caps at $2,000 per tax return, no matter how many students in your household qualify. If you paid tuition for two children, the total credit you can claim across both of them is still $2,000 maximum for the year, not $2,000 for each child. The $2,000 figure is 20% of up to $10,000 in qualified expenses aggregated for all eligible students on the return. Because the limit is per return rather than per student, families with multiple students in college do not get a larger combined credit the way they might with the American opportunity credit, which is calculated per student. You can still aggregate expenses from multiple students to reach the $10,000 expense base that produces the full $2,000 credit.
Maximum credit Up to $2,000 credit per return
Publication 970 (2024), Tax Benefits for Education (IRS)
It can wipe out your tax but never pays you back
The Lifetime Learning Credit is nonrefundable, which means it can reduce the income tax you owe dollar for dollar but only down to zero. If the credit you calculate exceeds your total tax liability for the year, the excess is simply lost; the IRS does not send you a refund for the difference. For example, suppose you qualify for the full $2,000 credit (20% of $10,000 in qualified expenses) but your total tax liability after all other credits is less than $2,000. You can use the credit to wipe out the tax you owe, but the unused portion disappears. This is different from a refundable credit, which would pay out the leftover amount as a refund. The nonrefundable nature of the credit means it is most valuable to taxpayers who have enough tax liability to absorb the full benefit.
The lifetime learning credit is a nonrefunda- ble credit. This means that it can reduce your tax to zero, but if the credit is more than your tax, the excess won't be refunded to you.
Publication 970 (2024), Tax Benefits for Education (IRS)
There is no cap on how many years you claim it
Unlike some education tax benefits that are limited to the first few years of college, the Lifetime Learning Credit has no restriction on how many years you can claim it for a student. You can claim the credit for freshman year, sophomore year, junior year, senior year, and beyond - including graduate school, professional development, or continuing education. There is no requirement that the student be pursuing a degree or be enrolled full-time. As long as you meet the income limits and other eligibility requirements each year, you can claim the credit for as many tax years as needed throughout the student's educational journey. This makes it particularly valuable for adult learners, part-time students, or those pursuing ongoing professional development over many years.
There is no limit on the number of years the lifetime learning credit can be claimed for each student.
Publication 970 (2024), Tax Benefits for Education (IRS)
A single course to improve job skills qualifies
The Lifetime Learning Credit doesn't require enrollment in a degree program. You can qualify by taking even a single course at an eligible educational institution if the course helps you acquire or improve job skills. This includes professional development courses, certification prep classes, or continuing education required for your career. The student doesn't need to be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential, and can be enrolled part-time or full-time. For example, a working professional taking a weekend coding workshop to stay current in their field, or an employee completing a required certification course, can both qualify. The course must be at an eligible educational institution and the expenses must be qualified education expenses, but the flexible requirements make this credit accessible for a wide range of educational situations beyond traditional college enrollment.
Available for all years of postsecondary education and for courses to acquire or improve job skills
Publication 970 (2024), Tax Benefits for Education (IRS)
One student, one credit, one year
For each student in each tax year, you must choose between claiming the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit - you cannot claim both credits for the same student in the same year. This coordination rule prevents double-dipping on education tax benefits. If you pay qualified expenses for multiple students, you can claim different credits for different students (for example, the American Opportunity Credit for your freshman daughter and the Lifetime Learning Credit for your graduate-school son), but for any individual student in any given year, you're limited to one credit. The American Opportunity Credit is generally more valuable for undergraduate students in their first four years, while the Lifetime Learning Credit offers more flexibility for graduate students, part-time students, or those beyond their first four years of postsecondary education.
If you are eligible to claim the lifetime learning credit and you are also eligible to claim the American opportu- nity credit for the same student in the same year, you can choose to claim either credit, but not both.
Publication 970 (2024), Tax Benefits for Education (IRS)
The income at which you lose the credit entirely
The Lifetime Learning Credit phases out completely once your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) reaches certain thresholds. For 2024, if your MAGI is $90,000 or more when filing as single, head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse, you cannot claim the credit at all. For married couples filing jointly, the credit is eliminated entirely when MAGI reaches $180,000 or more. Between these thresholds and lower income levels, the credit is gradually reduced. If you're married filing separately, you cannot claim the Lifetime Learning Credit regardless of income. These income limits apply per tax return, not per student, so a family's total income determines eligibility even if multiple students are attending college. When planning for education expenses, consider whether your expected income will keep you below these cutoffs to determine if you'll qualify for the credit.
Your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is $90,000 or more ($180,000 or more if filing married fil- ing jointly).
Publication 970 (2024), Tax Benefits for Education (IRS)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Publication 970 (2024), Tax Benefits for Education (IRS)
- Maximum credit
Maximum credit Up to $2,000 credit per return
- Rate on qualified expenses
The amount of the lifetime learning credit is 20% of the first $10,000 of qualified education expenses you paid for all eligible students.
- Qualified expenses limit
The amount of the lifetime learning credit is 20% of the first $10,000 of qualified education expenses you paid for all eligible students.