Form 8863
Fill Form

Form 8863

2025
Trusted by accountants
Trusted by accountants
Official IRS form
Official IRS form
Filled annually
Filled annually

Form 8863 is used to calculate and claim your educational tax credit, based on qualified education expenses paid to an eligible postsecondary educational institution.

Select the fillable 8863 Form from our website, open it in our PDF editor, and enter the required information. Afterward, you can easily download it to your device and save it before submitting to the IRS.

Form 8863

2025
Form 8863
Fill Form
Trusted by accountants
Trusted by accountants
Official IRS form
Official IRS form
Filled annually
Filled annually

Form 8863 is used to calculate and claim your educational tax credit, based on qualified education expenses paid to an eligible postsecondary educational institution.

Select the fillable 8863 Form from our website, open it in our PDF editor, and enter the required information. Afterward, you can easily download it to your device and save it before submitting to the IRS.

How to Fill Out a 8863 Form

Step 1: Select Form 8863 from our fillable PDF forms hub.

Step 2: Complete Part III first; enter the information about the students claiming the credit and the educational institution.

Step 3: Go back to Parts I and II and fill out the details about the American Opportunity Credit and nonrefundable credits.

Step 4: Review the document.

Step 5: Prepare your Form 1040 and attach Form 8863 to it.

Step 6: Submit both forms to the IRS.

What Is a Form 8863?

Form 8863 allows you to claim the educational tax credit when enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution. The credits you can claim with this form include the refundable American Opportunity Credit and the nonrefundable Lifetime Learning Credit.

Who Is Required to Fill Out an 8863 Form?

You can fill out an 8863 Form if you, your spouse, or a dependent you claim on your tax return was a student enrolled in an eligible educational institution. However, you can’t claim the credit if you’re married but filing separately, married to a nonresident alien, or have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of over $180,000 together (or $90,000 if you’re single).

When Should a Form 8863 Be Submitted?

Form 8863 is attached to Form 1040, the federal income tax return, so it is filed at the same time. In other words, the deadline for submitting both of these documents is 15th April.

What Are the Penalties for Providing Incorrect Information?

Penalties for providing incorrect information may include repaying the credit with interest if you receive more credit than you are entitled to. You may also be banned from claiming the American Opportunity Credit for 2 to 10 years in case of willful misrepresentation. Finally, if fraud is established, you could even face criminal charges.

How Do I Submit an 8863 Form?

You should submit an 8863 Form along with your federal income tax return by simply attaching it to that form and sending them together. You can do so by mail or electronically.

How to Get Your 8863 Form?

  1. Open the editable 8863 Form
    Open the editable 8863 Form
    1

    Open the editable 8863 Form

  2. Enter the required information
    Enter the required information
    2

    Enter the required information

  3. Download your Form 8863 in PDF
    Download your Form 8863 in PDF
    3

    Download your Form 8863 in PDF

#1. How do I get a blank Form 8863?

You can get a blank Form 8863 from pdf.net and open it directly in our editor. Once you’ve filled in the required information, all you should do is download the document to your device.

#2. What if my Form 8863 is missing information?

If your Form 8863 is missing information, you should wait for your package to be processed and then send an updated version using Form 1040-X. Basically, you’ll need to fill out a new federal tax return and attach the corrected Form 8863. If you want to make sure that all information is in place, cross-check your document with a Form 8863 example.

#3. Can I fill out my Form 8863 online?

Yes, you can fill out your Form 8863 online by opening it in our PDF editor and entering the required information into the empty slots.

#4. Is this form free?

This form is free to view and edit, but not to download; if you want to save it to your device, you’ll need to purchase a subscription.

#5. Can I correct mistakes after submitting Form 8863?

You can correct mistakes after submitting Form 8863, but you need to file a new tax return using Form 1040-X.

#6. What information or documents do I need to complete Form 8863?

To complete Form 8863, you need Form 1098-T, known as the Tuition Statement, which reports on qualified tuition and expenses and thus helps students determine their eligibility for credits. This document is provided annually by the educational institution and should contain all the necessary information.

Other than that, you should provide your personal financial information, social security number (SSN), and records of scholarships, grants, and other assistance.