Hello, I turned 25 in 2020 so my mother can no longer claim me as dependent even though I still live with her. I have never worked as my mother wanted me to focus purely on my education. I graduated college in Dec 2019, however, due to the pandemic I am still living with with my mother and have been unemployed. I have recently started school again and have made a few sales selling some items totaling around $300 online. I am unsure if i need to file taxes for 2020, and I would appreciate any help and advice!! Thank you!
Actually, despite your age, you still could be claimed as a dependent since you had less than $4300 of income for 2020. You are not a qualifying child, but you can still be claimed as a qualified relative by your parent who is paying for over half your support. Selling a few things for $300 is not a reason for you to file a tax return.
Read the rules----you are supported by someone else and had less than $4300 of income.
WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?
You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2019 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:
Qualifying child
•They are related to you.
•They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.
•They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
•They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.
•They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
• They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
Qualifying relative
•They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
•They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.
•They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
•They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.
•They lived with you the entire year.
•They made less than $4300 (not counting Social Security)
•You provided more than half of their financial support. More info
When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.
Related Information:
•Does a dependent have to live with me?