You do not have to claim him. But if you (or someone else) qualifies to claim him, he has to indicate that on his return. You can amend your return (after it is processed) and remove him. But he will still need to file by mail if he claims himself since you have already filed with his SSN on your return.
To figure out if someone can claim him, see below - if anyone can answer YES to all the qualifiers below, he would indicate he can be claimed. If not, he can indicate that he can't be claimed.
Qualifying relative
- They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
- They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
- They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
- They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
- They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
- They made less than $4,300 in 2020.
- You provided more than half of their financial support. ***If you didn't provide over half of his support, you can't claim him.
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