Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 7, 2019 2:55:24 PM

Can my mom still claim me as a dependent even if i file my own taxes?

Hi, I am currently a 20 year old full time college student and filing taxes for the first time.  I was employed through workstudy and didn't provide more than half of my own support during the year and was wondering if filing my own taxes affects my seperated mom's ability to file me as a dependent? I'm also aware of "The American Opportunity Credit," but noted that I may not take the credit for myself if I was claimed as someone else's dependent; if my mom can claim me as a dependent, will she still be able to claim that credit if I file my own taxes?

0 22 6885
1 Best answer
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:26 PM

Hello there carlosacosta711,

It is my goal to answer your tax quetions and make filing easier. To answer your first question your mother can still claim you as a dependent. When you file your own return you will just need to answer "Yes" to the question "Can anyone claim you as a dependent?"

As for the American Opportunity Credit I will be including more information about that. The full credit is available to individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return. If she meets that requirement then yes she can claim the credit.

For more information about the credit feel free to visit:http://www.irs.gov/uac/American-Opportunity-Tax-Credit:-Questions-and-Answers

I hope I was able to asnwer your question about your dependent status and the American Opportunity credit. Thank you for beign a Turbo Tax user.

Best wishes,

~Lauren

22 Replies
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:26 PM

Hello there carlosacosta711,

It is my goal to answer your tax quetions and make filing easier. To answer your first question your mother can still claim you as a dependent. When you file your own return you will just need to answer "Yes" to the question "Can anyone claim you as a dependent?"

As for the American Opportunity Credit I will be including more information about that. The full credit is available to individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return. If she meets that requirement then yes she can claim the credit.

For more information about the credit feel free to visit:http://www.irs.gov/uac/American-Opportunity-Tax-Credit:-Questions-and-Answers

I hope I was able to asnwer your question about your dependent status and the American Opportunity credit. Thank you for beign a Turbo Tax user.

Best wishes,

~Lauren

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:29 PM

Be sure you say yes to both: can anyone claim you as a dependent and, if it comes up, is anyone claiming you as a dependent.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:34 PM

I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.  You were very helpful, thanks!

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:34 PM

Glad to help.  You're welcome!

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:36 PM

I was more than happy to assist you today.  Have a great weekend!

~Lauren

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:37 PM

Be extremely careful!  I lost $4000 because my daughter asked the wrong question.  My daughter did her own taxes this year.  She's 17, has a little hostess job on weekends and got her first W2s for the 2013 tax year.  She did it on her phone, just scanned her W-2s, like she does to deposit her paycheck, and it was a quick job to finish it.  But easy as it is, it was wrong.  When she got to that question she asked me if her dad would claim her.  I said no, so she put no.  That cost us $4000.  I think maybe better to pay someone else to do it.  Or not have her do one at all because she makes little enough money. Or maybe Turbo Tax could have counselors available.  Or maybe there should be a huge yellow box that says "Be extremely careful" around that question.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:39 PM

You and your daughter have the option of filing amended returns and getting the money back.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:39 PM

Bob, I think that makes sense.  I am going to the library to see if they have those forms.  Or maybe to the IRS website.  What a costly (in time as well) ordeal.  Thank you very much for the comment.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:41 PM
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:43 PM

Bob, you should get a raise.  Thank you.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:46 PM

You're welcome.  We "SuperUsers" are volunteers so..

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:49 PM

what if your mom claims you and you dont put you are being claimed on your income taxes

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:51 PM

If you file first then she will be unable to efile and will have to mail it in and you will have to prepare an amended return and mail it in.  If she files first your efile will be rejected until you change you return to say someone else can claim you and then it will let you efile.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:51 PM

If i could be claimed as a someones dependent (my moms), but my mom is not going to claim me, what do I check?

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:53 PM

You check that someone else can claim you.  And you still will be unable to claim yourself

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:55 PM

Why is that?

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:56 PM

Because you cannot claim yourself if someone else CAN claim you.  That's the way the law is written.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:57 PM

If I already filed my taxes through Turbo and accidentally did not claim myself as a dependent with my father,what do I have to do? My father has me down has his dependent. His taxes are currently being filed by a close friend. Any help to avoid trouble?

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:55:58 PM

If you claimed yourself, you have to file an amended return and your father will have to file a paper return this year.  be sure he and his friend know that.  It will slow his refund down a lot, but that's how it is.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:56:00 PM

I claim my 18 year old daughter on my taxes. She works at car wash on weekends etc. On her 1040 EZ form it asks if anyone can claim you. The only options are YOU or SPOUSE. How does she convey that her parents are claiming her?

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:56:03 PM

I'm 23 and filed my taxes. As I started the form it asked if someone can claim me as a dependent. I put 'Yes' because I was in school full time (2014) and I'm under 24. I filed my taxes and it went from me getting over $1,000 back to having to owe $407. The details stated, "We took away the Refundable Educational Credit because you can be claimed on someone elses taxes a dependent." Now, can my Dad still claim me on his taxes even though I already filed? And how much extra will he be getting back? Any insight and information will be appreciated. Thank you.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:56:08 PM

Your Dad can claim you.  Even if he didn't you wouldn't get the $1000.  How much he gets from the education credits depends on his income and other tax related items.  Might be $2500, might not.