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Is my newly-graduated student, now working, a qualifying child?

My 23-year-old daughter was a full-time graduate student until last May, and then took one last class in July and finished in August, getting her degree.   She began renting her own apartment on July 1 (we paid for the first month), and she started a full-time job on July 8.    Given this, is she a "qualifying child"? 

 

The IRS rules here aren't clear on when someone officially leaves your household.   https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/qualif[product key remov...

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1 Reply
ColeenD3
Expert Alumni

Is my newly-graduated student, now working, a qualifying child?

Unfortunately, the IRS does not give any other further guidance on the residency question. The bottom line is "more than half the tax year". While she was still a student in August, and despite the fact that you paid the first month rent, she moved into an apartment on July 1.

 

The only other option is Qualifying Relative, but it is almost certain she made too much money.

 

Qualifying Relative

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.

 

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