topic Re: Dependent in Deductions & credits

Dependent

MrMatrix — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:14:03 GMT

It does seem we will be able to claim my 25 year old step-daughter as a dependent. My question is this? How does that affect her tax filing status? She is a college student going to school on the GI bill and only grossed about $3,000 this past year. Will she still get all her federal taxes withheld back as a refund? She will not be able to claim herself when filing if we claim her, correct?

Re: Dependent

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 14:03:47 GMT

MY DEPENDENT HAD A JOB

If your dependent has a W-2 for his after-school job, summer job, etc. you do not include the information on your own return. You can still claim your child as a dependent on your own return. He/she can file his own return for a refund of some of his withheld wages (he won’t get back anything for Social Security or Medicare), but MUST indicate on it that he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. (Supervise this closely or prepare it for him!)

If your dependent’s earnings were over $400 and were reported on a 1099Misc or 1099NEC then he must file a return and pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare.

You might also want to use free software from the IRS Free File versions:

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

Re: Dependent

PattiF — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 14:17:33 GMT

Yes, your stepdaughter will be able to get a refund of the federal taxes that were withheld. And yes, she will file as a dependent and not claim herself.

When she files her return:

"If you qualify to be claimed as a dependent, you must answer “yes” that you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. You’ll also be asked if the person who could claim you, will claim you, which only impacts your eligibility for certain education credits."

Please see this TurboTax Help article about filing taxes as a dependent.

@MrMatrix