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posted Apr 12, 2025 7:46:53 PM

Full-time student claimed as a dependent, but I also paid for my expenses

Question regarding filling personal information out on my taxes. I know my family claimed me as a dependent which is fine, but I also did work part-time in school and used this money to pay for things (groceries, rent, gas, etc). I selected the option:

 

I was a full-time student.
Did you support yourself? Yes
 
Followed by:
Another taxpayer can claim me as a dependent on their tax return (and will this year) : yes.
 
Will my first response conflict with my tax return? Should I still select I did not support myself because of my status as a dependent? I just want to avoid having my return or my family's return rejected. Thanks in advance.

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1 Replies
Level 15
Apr 12, 2025 8:10:45 PM

If you can be claimed as a dependent on your parents' tax return you must say on your own tax return that someone else can claim you.     Saying that you paid for your own support and then saying that you can be claimed as someone else's dependent are contradictory statements.

CAN I FILE A RETURN IF I AM A DEPENDENT?

If you can be claimed as a dependent on your parents’ return, you can still file your own return so that you can receive a refund of taxes withheld.  Your W-2 will show federal tax withheld in box 2, and state tax withheld in box 17.  (You will not get back anything for Social Security or Medicare withheld.) Be sure that on your own return you say that you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return.

 

 

If you can be claimed as a dependent and you answer the question in My Info incorrectly, here is what happens if you e-file first:  Your Social Security number goes into the IRS system as having been used.  When your parents try to e-file, their e-file is rejected and they will find it impossible to e-file their own tax return.  Then they will have to print, sign and mail their return and wait for months for it to be processed.  You, meanwhile, will have to file an amended tax return on a special form called a 1040X, which also takes months for the IRS to process.  So make sure you know the correct answer to "Can anyone claim you as a dependent on their tax return?"

 

 

 

It might help you to take a look at what is included in support.

DEPENDENT SUPPORT WORKSHEET

https://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/content/globalmedia/teacher/worksheet_for_determining_support_4012.pdf