College dependent status

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
March 6, 2026
1 reply
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I am a 22 year old college student who is enrolled full time. I have a part time job earning ~25k a year. I had my own apartment from 8/2024- to present. I do not return home on breaks since I do not have a bedroom at my parents anymore. I have FAFSA loans in my name only. I pay for my own gas, clothing, IRA contributions, rent, utilities, groceries, and school expenses, ~1200/month. In the 2025 school year I used ~$2600 of a 529 that my parents set up, but the remaining school expenses I paid myself. My parents also paid ~$1500 of health care expenses and ~600 in car insurance. My parents want to claim me as a dependent, and I don't know if they can. Nothing is straightforward and I can't find a yes or no answer. Last year when we did taxes, my apartment was considered temporary absence, but I don't intend to return home after I graduate, so I don't know why it's temporary.

Karis_F

Level 7

For your parents to claim you on their tax return as a dependent:

1. They would have to provide more than half of your support and you must be under age 24 and a full-time student if they are claiming you as a qualifying child. OR

2. You must live with them all year, make less than $5,200 and they must provide more than half of your support if they are claiming you as a qualifying relative.

If they do not meet either of these tests, they would not be able to claim you as a dependent on their tax return.

Either way, you will file a tax return to claim your income and would indicate that you are claimed as a dependent on another return if that is the case.

Here is a TurboTax article with the requirements for claiming a dependent

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