I became a full-time college student in September of 2022. Does this count for my taxes this year?

[bespicer04]

I graduated high school in June and began college in September. Do I file as a full-time college student or high school student?

[Vanessa A]

Yes, if you began college in September full time, you would be counted as a full time student.  You do not need to distinguish between high school and college.  

If you are a dependent on your parents return, they will be able to claim you and take any educational credits that they may qualify for. 

[Hal_Al]

Q. I became a full-time college student in September of 2022. Does this count for my taxes this year?

A.  Yes.

Starting college in Sept.  means you only attended college for parts of 4 months. But, the fact that you were in high school earlier means that you were a full time, in 2022, for 5 months or more.

The only significance of the 5 month rule is that your parents can still claim you as a Qualifying Child Dependent.

There are two types of dependents, "Qualifying Children"(QC) and Other ("Qualifying Relative" in IRS parlance even though they don't have to actually be related). There is no income limit for a QC but there is an age limit, student status, a relationship test and residence test.

A child of a taxpayer can still be a “Qualifying Child” (QC) dependent, regardless of his/her income, if:

1. He is under age 19, or under 24 if a full time student for at least 5 months of the year, or is totally & permanently disabled
2. He did not provide more than 1/2 his own support. Scholarships are excluded from the support calculation
3. He lived with the parent (including temporary absences such as away at school) for more than half the year