Can my mother claim me as a dependent?

[rachel-maree]

My parents are divorced. In 2017, I lived with my father and was a full time student and worker. My father paid all of my living expenses and I did not live with my mother at any point in the year 2017. She says she wants to claim me on her tax return as a dependent, but I’m not sure if she’s eligible, and I don’t want to agree until I know for sure.

[Phillip1 · Accepted solution]

If the following applies, you can be claimed as a dependent by your mother:

1. You are under the age of 19, or between the ages of 19 and 24 and a full time student.
2. You lived with your her or your father for the majority of the year

• Either the divorce decree clearly outline what years she can claim you as a dependent,or
• Your father provides her with a signed Form 8332 that releases you as an exemption for her to claim.

You did not provide more than half of your own support.

You are not filing a joint income tax return.

Most likely your father is the one who can claim you as a dependent on this tax return.