Q. So, yes or no? Can someone else claim me as a dependent on their tax return?
A. Yes, most likely. But you haven't provided enough info. You most likely have to make that determination on your own, as it probably hinges on the support calculation.
There are two types of dependents, "Qualifying Children"(QC) and standard ("Qualifying Relative" in IRS parlance even though they don't have to actually be related). There is no income limit for a QC but there is an age limit, student status, a relationship test and residence test.
A child of a taxpayer can still be a “Qualifying Child” (QC) dependent, regardless of his/her income, if:
- He is under age 19, or under 24 if a full time student for at least 5 months of the year, or is totally & permanently disabled
- He did not provide more than 1/2 his own support. Scholarships, and the expenses they pay for, are excluded from the support calculation.
- He lived with the parent (including temporary absences such as away at school, even if living off campus) for more than half the year (you are considered to be living with your parents if away at school)
So, it doesn't matter how much he earned. What matters is how much he spent on support. Money he put into savings does not count as support he spent on him self.
Student loans are considered support provided by the student, unless in the parent's name or the parent co-signed.
The support value of the home, provided by the parent, even while the student is away, is the fair market rental value of the home plus utilities & other expenses divided by the number of occupants.
The IRS has a worksheet that can be used to help with the support calculation. See: http://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/content/globalmedia/teacher/worksheet_for_determining_support_4012.pdf
