Should I select yes that I supported myself in 2021 if the only thing I don't do is pay rent and some utility bills ? I'm 22 and I work but live with parents.

We asked you this question because based on your age, you might qualify for an education tax break called the American Opportunity credit.

 

Think about the people who helped pay for your living expenses. Did anyone pay for your rent or food? Consider all your living expenses and what you contributed. If you paid for more than half with your earned income, you supported yourself.

 

If a parent or someone else paid for more than half of your living expenses, you did not support yourself. If you used unearned income or student loans to pay for most of your expenses, you did not support yourself.

 

We need more information.    Were you a full-time student in 2021?   Or were you just working in 2021?  And if you were working but not a student, did you make more than $4300 in 2021?

I'm not a student at all. I have just been working in 2021. And yes I did make more than that.

Okay---then you cannot be claimed as anyone else's dependent.   You can say on your own return that no one else can claim you.   Do make sure you discuss with your parents so no one files incorrectly and gets rejected

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

 

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2021 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 $4,300 in 2021.
• 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:

• What does "financially support another person" mean?
• What is a "qualifying person" for Head of Household?
• Does a dependent for 2020 have to live with me?
• Do I qualify for Head of Household in 2020?
• Can I claim myself or my spouse as a dependent?