dependent with scholarship

[mamajo10]

My son has a full-ride scholarship, and has a 1098-T.  I understand he has to file his own tax return, because of the room & board not being deductible [which is ridiculous] but does that change his dependent status?

[JotikaT2]

It depends. 

Depending upon the amount of his scholarship income, he may or may not have a filing requirement.   

He would have a filing requirement if he makes more than the following amounts in gross income: 

• $12,200 for Single 
• $24,400 for Married Filing Jointly 
• $5 for Married Filing Separately 
• $18,350 for Head Of Household 
• $24,400 for Qualifying widower 

I have included some additional information to help you determine if he has any filing requirements based upon your specific filing status. 

Do I need to file a return 

Gross income amount for dependents 

His dependent status would not change if he meets all of the requirements to be claimed as  a dependent.

He can be listed as a dependent child on your return assuming your child is: 

• Related to you 
• Can't be claimed by somebody else 
• A US citizen, resident, national or a Canadian or Mexico resident 
• Not filing a joint return 
• Under the age of 19 or 24 if a full-time student
• Live with you for more than half of the year (except for temporary absences for college)
• Didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year 

[mamajo10]

Full-time student, 18 years old.  The box 8 on the 1098-T is 9068.95 and he earned 2003.84 at his summer job, so his combined is less than the 12,200.  When I entered his 1098-T info in my tax return, it said that because all of box 8 was room & board, it was taxable and he had to file a tax return.  I assume that I can use the 1040-EZ form?

[JotikaT2]

No.  

The 1040-EZ Form was eliminated in 2018.  You can only file on Form 1040 now.