Claiming Myself as Independent

[dsmith454]

Hello, my mother and I agreed that I should now claim myself as independent as I currently support myself. I'm curious as to how this entire thing works? When filling out my next tax return, how would I go about claiming myself, and how would my mother go about releasing me as a dependent? I'm kind of confused on how this all works and I need help better understanding. I would also like not note I am still currently in college, so I'm not completely sure how the financial aid thing would change. 

Thank you

[NCperson]

it's simple..... when you fill out your tax return it will ask a series of questions, one of which is CAN YOU be claimed by someone else - answer 'no' to that question.

However, there are a number of rules that define if you CAN be claimed by someone else.... Whether your mother decides not to claim you is her right, but it doesn't change the answer to the question CAN she claim you. 

you state you support yourself.  Do make more than $4300 in 2020? Are you NOT in school?  If so, then she CANNOT claim you and you are 'good to go'. 

[VolvoGirl]

If you are under 24 and a full time student she can probably still claim  you.  To file for yourself you just do not check the box that says you can be claimed by someone else. 

Does your mom use Turbo Tax?  She will have to delete you from her return under My Info.  

Here's what you check on your return.........

[DoninGA]

On your tax return you just do NOT indicate that you are a dependent.

On your mother's tax return she does not enter you as a dependent.

However, if you are under the age of 19 or age 19 and a full time student under the age of 24 you may be claimed as a dependent if you meet all the requirements under the Qualifying Child rules whether you are claimed as a dependent or not.  The law is if you CAN be claimed as dependent then you must indicate on your tax return that you are a dependent.

Do you actually provide over one-half of your own support?

Use this IRS worksheet to determine support - https://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/content/globalmedia/teacher/worksheet_for_determining_support_4012.pdf

To be a Qualifying Child -

1. The child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them.
2. The child must be (a) under age 19 at the end of the year, (b) under age 24 at the end of the year and a full-time student or (c) any age and permanently and totally disabled.
3. The child must have lived with you for more than half of the year. Temporary absences while away at college are considered living with you.
4. The child must not have provided more than half of his or her own support for the year.
5. If the child meets the rules to be a qualifying child of more than one person, you must be the person entitled to claim the child as a qualifying child.
6. The child must be a U.S. citizen or U.S., Canada or Mexico resident for some portion of the year.
7. The child must be younger than you unless disabled.