Oh---wait-----you are about to make a mistake. At age 20, she is a qualified child dependent. There is not a "choice" about saying she cannot be claimed on her own return. The rules is that if she CAN be claimed, she must say on her own return that someone else can claim her. If she already filed that way, then leave her return alone. If she has not yet filed, then in MY INFO she must say that someone else can claim her as a dependent.
The education credit goes on YOUR return---not on the dependent student's return. If you filed without using the education credit, then that is what you should be changing if you amend--not changing to remove your daughter as a dependent. Dependents cannot claim education credits.
WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?
You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2024 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 $5050 in 2024 (not counting Social Security)
- You provided more than half of their financial support.
When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them. There may be other tax benefits you can get when you claim a dependent.
Related Information:
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
