After you file

First let's figure out if Mom can claim you.   How old were you at the end of 2022?  Were you a full-time student in 2022?   Did you earn more than $4400 in 2022?

Here is what Mom has to know to determine if you are either a qualifying child or a qualifying relative:

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2022 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They're related to you.
• 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're under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• They lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
• They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.

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 $4,400 in 2022.
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

If you CAN be claimed as either a qualifying child or a qualifying relative then the rule for you is that you MUST say on your own return that you can be claimed.

If Mom really did make a mistake and could not claim you, then she does have to amend her return and remove you as a dependent.  But that process takes months.  You do not have to wait for that.  Your Social Security number has been put into the system this year, so you cannot e-file a 2022 return.   The only way for you to file your own return now is by mail.   

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.