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Level 2
posted Feb 16, 2020 4:43:36 PM

Can my parents claim me as a dependent?

I turned 24 in May of last year. I was a full-time student in a different state until October. In July, I started working full-time, in a different state. I don't live with my parents, and I pay my own rent. My parents claimed me as a dependent on their taxes this year, because their tax person at H&R Block told them they could. But I looked online at the IRS' website, and it said the child had to be under 24 at the end of the calendar year. Am I missing something and they're right? Or did she file their taxes incorrectly? 

I have to do my taxes soon, and I just want to know what I need to put down. 

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5 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 16, 2020 5:11:07 PM

There is a checkbox to indicate inside of the "My Info" section that you were claimed as a dependent by someone else. You need to indicate this since you were claimed as a dependent.

 

With respect to whether it was appropriate to claim you, you don't need to be concerned because if anything your parents would receive a letter from the IRS instead of you. But since you are aware you must indicate you are claimed as a dependent.

Level 2
Feb 16, 2020 5:19:27 PM

But the question under the "my info" section says "Can someone else claim you as a dependent," not "did someone else claim you as a dependent". And based on my understanding of the rules, the answer to that would be no. 

My concern isn't whether it was appropriate or not, but whether it was legal. How can I say that I "Can be claimed as a dependent" when I'm not under 24?

Level 15
Feb 16, 2020 5:22:57 PM

They can not claim you if you made over $4,200.  You can claim yourself.  But if they already filed with your ssn you will have to print and mail your return.  The IRS will eventually send you both letters to determine who can claim you .

 

Who can you claim,

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/credits-and-deductions/help/who-can-i-claim-as-my-dependent/00/26781 

Employee Tax Expert
Feb 16, 2020 5:25:33 PM

Since you are not under 24, you would no longer be a qualified child for dependency, but you could be a qualifying relative for dependency.  

 

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2019 taxes as long as they meet all of the following requirements :

  • You provided more than half of their financial support. More info
  • They made less than $4,200 in gross income during 2019 unless they are a qualifying child.
  • They live with you or they are related to you. (Your relative must live at your residence all year or be on the list of “relatives who do not live with you” in Publication 501.) 
  • They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
  • They aren't (or won't be) claimed as a dependent by someone else.
  • They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
  • You are not being claimed as a dependent on someone else's return.

Level 2
Feb 16, 2020 5:30:53 PM

I definitely made more than $4200 last year, and I didn't live with them. I paid my own rent for a room in a different state. This has become a major argument between us. If I just let them claim me as a dependent anyway, will I get in trouble then?