Vanessa A
Expert Alumni

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Basically, you need to answer the question honestly.  If his earned income was less than half of his support,  he is not eligible for the $1,000 refundable credit.

This does not mean that you MUST claim him as a dependent.  You still do not have to, however, he cannot get the $1,000, but he can claim the non-refundable portion if he has a tax liability.  If he has no tax liability, then he will not see a benefit from the AOTC. 

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