Am I Dependent?

[akelly93]

I'm 23 and my parents have been able to claim me as dependent in the past because I've always been a fulltime student. However, I graduated last Spring and was therefore only a fulltime student for 4 months out of the year. I did take one class in the Fall, but I was less than halftime. I still live with my parents and they support me, but I also make more than the $4,050/Yr. that would allow them to claim me as a dependent relative. Can my parents still claim me as dependent or do I have to file as independent?

[NewGuy · Accepted solution]

Unless you were a enrolled as a full time student for at least part of any 5 months during the year, then you no longer qualify as a dependent child.  You could have started school 31 Jan and ended 1 May and met this test. 

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar02.html#en_US_2016_publink1000220890

[akelly93]

Thank you for the information. I started mid January and my graduation date was beginning of May so based on your definition I'm still a dependent correct?

[NewGuy]

You meet the IRS rule for determining a full time student: "Student defined.    To qualify as a student, your child must be, during some part of each of any 5 calendar months of the year."  Assuming your parents provided more than half of your support and you are not filing a joint return with anyone else, then you should qualify as a dependent.

[akelly93]

Great, thank you for your assistance!