@joshambuehl wrote:
Are the parents allowed to claim child as a dependent if they want the child to file their own return?
While nobody can be compelled to claim a dependent, a dependent cannot claim them self if they can be claimed by another tax payer - the tax law does not allow that.
That is why there are two questions in the interview - *can* you be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer, and *were* you (or will you) actually be claimed by that taxpayer?
In both cases the dependent will not get the full deduction. if the answer is "no", the dependent is then allowed to claim certain educational credits that cannot be claimed by a dependent if they are actually claimed.
A dependent is required to check that they *can* be a dependent whether they are actually claimed or not.
**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**
