I am now independent and my parents paid my tuition. Who can claim the 1098-T? Can both me and my parents claim it?

[igernald]

I've been filing my taxes on my own for the past 6 years. Now that I became officially independent, I am not sure if I could claim the 1098-T I received from the school. My parents paid for my tuition and claimed it, but I am wondering if I should claim it as well. 

[Hal_Al]

@igernald said "My parents paid for my tuition and claimed it" (the1098-T and the tuition credit).

They can't do that.  Just paying your tuition is not enough.  You must qualify as their dependent and they must claim you as a dependent for them to claim the tuition credit. 

If you do not qualify as their dependent (officially independent), you can claim the tuition credit (claim the 1098-T), even though your parents paid the tuition.   But there is a  possible restriction.  A full time unmarried student, under age 24, even if you don't qualify as a dependent, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working.  More than half your support must come from earned income. 

[igernald]

Just to clarify. I can claim the 1098-T even if I did not pay for my tuition and my parents did, right? And I am a full-time worker, 26 years old independent, that fully supports myself. My parents asked for my 1098-T earlier to claim it. Now that I am filling my taxes, I'm not sure if I should claim the 1098-T as well.

[VolvoGirl]

They can't claim your 1098-T.   They can't enter it unless they first  enter you as a dependent.  And you no longer qualify as their dependent.   They can try but it won't do them any good.  If they actually get it added to their tax return you all will have bigger problems.

[Hal_Al]

Q. I can claim the 1098-T even if I did not pay for my tuition and my parents did, right? 

A. Right.

It's one of the few exceptions to the general rule, in taxes, that you must make the payment to get the deduction.