Dependent with earned income & bus/selfemployed income = less than 12,200

[kaitlt2]

My combined income (earned and pet sitting income) is less than $12k for 2019.  

I am a dependent, under age 23 (in 2019) and paid my full tuition.  I do not see a deduction or credit for my 1098-T.  

I assume I have to file, because of my self-employment earnings? 

Is there a better way to manage my tuition expenses in the filings?  

Can my parents not claim me as a dependent and that could improve my results?

[KrisD15]

If you are a dependent, (you can be claimed on someone else's tax return) you are not eligible for an education credit. The Taxpayer that claims you could claim the credit if applicable. 

Technically no, the IRS does not allow a taxpayer to claim themselves if they are a dependent, even if the person that could claim them doesn't. 

To not be a dependent, you would need to have supplied more than half your own support. 

If there is an education credit, it would probably be worth more on your parent's return than yours even if you could take it. 

IRS Pub 970

[rjs]

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@kaitlt2 wrote:

My combined income (earned and pet sitting income) is less than $12k for 2019.  

I am a dependent, under age 23 (in 2019) and paid my full tuition.  I do not see a deduction or credit for my 1098-T.  

I assume I have to file, because of my self-employment earnings? 

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You didn't say how much your self-employment income was. If it was $400 or more you are required to file.

Self-employment income is earned income. Unearned income is typically income from investments, such as interest, dividends, or capital gains. If your total earned income (W-2 plus self-employment) is $12,200 or less, you have no other (unearned) income, and your self-employment income was less than $400, you are not required to file.

You can use the calculator at the following link on the IRS web site to see if you have to file a tax return.

Do I Need to File a Tax Return?