Q. Is being claimed as a dependent worth it?
A. Yes. Very much so.
Your mother will get the same $1000 Tuition credit that you get. Depending on how much income she has, she will get up to another $1500 tuition credit, that you are not eligible for. This is in addition to the $500 other dependent credit (ODC) she gets and the smaller tax bill for being able to file as Head of Household (HoH). She cannot be HoH without a dependent. So, the family comes out about $2900+/- ahead* if she does claim you as a dependent, depending on her income.
*$1500 more tuition credit + $500 ODC +$900 for the larger HoH standard deduction + possible tax bracket savings.
