Recalcitrant Daughter

[BruteForce]

My college daughter claimed herself as not dependent, but she clearly is a dependent. When I  file my taxes, it gets rejected at the federal level, citing her independent status.

[DawnC]

If your tax return is being rejected, then either she or someone else claimed her.   Look at the tax return she filed.   Is the box under filing status that says ''Someone can claim me'' marked on her return?   It should be.   If it is not marked, she claimed herself.  If it is marked, someone else claimed her.   You can still claim her, but you are going to have to file by mail as you won't be able to e-file.  Once an SSN is claimed, it can't be e-filed on another return.   She will need to file an amended tax return later, but you are still going to have to file by mail, unfortunately.  

[BruteForce]

Thanks for the advice.
My daughter was very displeased with me for claiming her as dependent, but the expense numbers seem to support my claiming her.  It is very hard to know for certain however, because she is very immature and refused to work with me.  She will not share any of her financial information and her school will not give it to me either.  I'm not sure how I am supposed to know for certain if she supports herself over 50% if I can't have access to the necessary information.  It's very frustrating.  I guess I'm just supposed to make a best guess?  Do you have any tips about how to deal with a situation like this?

[NCperson]

here is the IRS work schedule to determine "support" 

https://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/content/globalmedia/teacher/worksheet_for_determining_support_4012.pdf

note that the IRS considers her living at home, even if she is living in a dorm / off campus apartment.  So for example, if you are a 4 member family, then 25% of the housing expenses would be allocated to her on this worksheet as support you provide; that makes it very difficult for her to provide 50% on her side.   Estimate some of the items as you'll begin to prove the case that you provide more than 50% of her support. 

for college, did she not sign the forms when she entered college to give you access to her grades and financial information?  this is a tax forum, but who is paying the college tuition? maybe it needs to be held hostage in return for access to the financial information.

note the the tax return asks if she CAN be claimed as a dependent not if she is claimed as a dependent. 

good luck! 

[Opus 17]

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@BruteForce wrote:

Thanks for the advice.
My daughter was very displeased with me for claiming her as dependent, but the expense numbers seem to support my claiming her.  It is very hard to know for certain however, because she is very immature and refused to work with me.  She will not share any of her financial information and her school will not give it to me either.  I'm not sure how I am supposed to know for certain if she supports herself over 50% if I can't have access to the necessary information.  It's very frustrating.  I guess I'm just supposed to make a best guess?  Do you have any tips about how to deal with a situation like this?

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If she can be claimed, she must answer yes that she can be claimed, even if she does not want to be claimed.  Answering "no" to get more tuition benefits or a recovery rebate will probably be considered tax fraud.  

If you file by mail and claim your daughter as a dependent, the IRS will send letters to both of you to start an investigation, and will ask for proof from each of you on the support question.  You will have to think about whether all that is worth it.