My son is a full-time student who earned $4752 last year. Can he become my dependent by investing $800 in a traditional IRA--reducing his gross income below $4050?

[kurtlucas]

My son is 20 years old, studying full-time, working toward his first degree.

[Iris39 · Accepted solution]

When you click through the options, make sure you indicate that your son lived with you more than half the year.  Time spent away at school counts as time spent living at home for college students.  Then he will be your dependent, & it doesn't matter how much he earns, as long as HE  doesn't pay more than half of HIS OWN SUPPORT.

[NewGuy]

Since he is a full time student, he already qualifies as your dependent.  His income does not matter as a qualifying child as long as he hasn't provided more than half of his own support.

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar02.html#en_US_2016_publink1000220886

[kurtlucas]

When I click through the TurboTax options, I verify that he is my son--but when I click on the option that he earned "at least $4050 in 2016," TurboTax suggests that I cannot claim him as a dependent. Is there a TurboTax method for declaring him as a dependent--even if he did earn more that $4050? Thanks in advance.

[californiasteven]

You need to say the he was a full time student and lived with you.  Being away at college counts as living with you.