For which tax years is the American Opportunity Credit (AOC) available under current law?

The American Opportunity Credit (AOC) was established to provide financial assistance to eligible students in their pursuit of higher education. Under current law, the AOC is available for tax years from 2009 through 2017, which makes the timeframe of 2009 and 2010 the correct choices.

In 2009, the AOC was part of a series of stimulus measures aimed at making college education more affordable. The details of the credit included being able to claim it for qualified education expenses for the first four years of higher education, with the possibility of claiming up to $2,500 per eligible student.

The other choices represent years outside of the availability of the AOC. For instance, the credit was not available in 2008 as it had not yet been enacted, and it was also available beyond 2010 but that aspect is not reflected in the years presented in the other options. By focusing on the simplest terms of when the credit was applicable, years 2009 and 2010 are the most relevant under the current provisions of the credit's availability.