I beg to differ....

If you read the article I posted a link to back in September, it clearly explains that the tax credit is "non-refundable." Which means it cannot EVEN BY ONE DOLLAR increase the CASH REFUND you get from the IRS. Regardless of AMT situation.

In an non-AMT situation, if you end up with all your other tax obligations with a $500 refund, the hybrid tax credit will be lost to you completely.

It will apply only if you OWE taxes - at that point it can reduce the amount you owe by the amount of the credit you receive. If you owe $500 but your tax credit is $2,100, then the other $1600 is lost to you, not refunded to you.

The hybrid tax credit CANNOT increase your refund under any circumstances. Is it "non-refundable" meaning it cannot be re-funded back to you in the form of a refund.