I am a student and did not file taxes for 2018, and not claimed on my parents return. How do I file 2018 taxes now?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
March 29, 2020
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TurboTax Free Edition Online

DavidS127

Level 13

Obtain a Download/CD version of 2018 TurboTax to prepare your 2018 tax return. You will need to print and mail your 2018 tax return, it cannot be e-filed.

Note that if you could have been claimed as a dependent on your parent's tax return (even though you were not) you will indicate that on the 2018 tax return you file.

You can buy 2018 year products at this TurboTax website.

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Hal_Al

Level 15

Why were you not claimed as a dependent by your parents?

There's a new urban myth among college students that says they can get a $1000 from the government just for filing a tax form. For most of them, they simply aren't eligible. A full time unmarried student, under age 24, is only eligible for the refundable portion of the American Opportunity Credit if he supports himself by working. You cannot be supporting yourself on parental support, 529 plans or student loans & grants. You usually must have actually paid tuition, not had it paid by scholarships & grants. It is usually best if the parent claims that credit.

You cannot claim a credit if you are, or can be, claimed as a dependent by someone else. See https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/AOTC

With the tax law change, effective 2018, most students will get the same refund whether they claim themselves or not. The personal exemption has been eliminated and the standard deduction increased.