Child high school student had a part time job but turned 17 last year. Do I claim them as a dependent anymore?

[ljf214]

My child is a full time high school student.  Had a part time job last year but did turn 17 at the end of 2015.  What do I do with regards to claiming dependents?  I wont get any tax credits for her this tax year because of her turning 17 correct?  So is it still worth me claiming her on my tax return?  trying to figure out how to file the 2 returns (mine and hers).

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

Yes, you still claim her. At 17, she is too old for the Child tax credit but not the earned Income credit. You also get her exemption ($4000 deduction). 

A child of a taxpayer can still be a “Qualifying Child” (QC) dependent, regardless of his/her income, if:

1. He is under age 19, or under 24 if a full time student for at least 5 months of the year, or is totally & permanently disabled

2. He did not provide more than 1/2 his own support

3. He lived with the parent (including temporary absences such as away at school) for more than half the year

Furthermore, there is a rule that says IF somebody else CAN claim him as a dependent, he is not allowed to claim his own exemption. If he has sufficient income (usually more than $6300), he can & should still file taxes; he just doesn’t get his own $4000 exemption (deduction). In TurboTax, he indicates that somebody else can claim him as a dependent, at the personal information section.  Even if he had less, he is allowed to file if he needs to get back income tax withholding. He cannot get back social security or Medicare tax withholding.