Full-time college student dependent (19) will file his taxes this year as he just meets earning threshold. Can I still claim college expenses which I pay?

[m_chavarria61]

Just wondering if we can both file even though I am the only one to actually claim college related expenses.  I do not want to trigger an audit inadvertently.

[MinhT · Accepted solution]

If you claim your son as a dependent, you only can claim his education expenses.

Your son can file his own tax return. He has to indicate on his return that Someone else is claiming him as a dependent,

He cannot claim any education expenses.

[m_chavarria61]

Due to my income level, I was not able to deduct college related expenses, after all.  Does this still affect his ability to claim college expenses?

[MinhT]

If you claim your son as a dependent, then you only can claim his education expenses. He cannot.
If your son is NOT your dependent, then he can claim his education expenses.