I am 22 years old and have lived on my own for 1.5 years. I am still in college My parents claimed me last year but I want to claim independent this year. Can I do that?

Under the rules for "qualifying relative" dependent, they can't claim you if you have more than $4300 of taxable income.  

 

Under the rules of "qualifying child" dependent, they can't claim you unless you "lived with them" for more than half the year.  "Lived with" is the tricky part because most college students are considered to live with their parents and being away at college is a temporary absence.  By "on my own" do you mean living in a dorm and going back to your parents' house over the summer, and you still have clothes and things there, or do you mean you have your own independent apartment?  Do you still go to the doctor and dentist near your parents house or have you found new ones near your new living place?  Have you found a new church, bowling league, or other social activities that show you are not just "temporarily" away from your parents' house?  They can't claim you if you no longer "live with them except for temporary absences"

 

They also can't claim you if you provide more than half your own financial support.  This is more complicated than residence which is why I mention that first.  Your financial needs include room and board, transportation, medical expenses, clothing, travel, and tuition.  Support you provide yourself includes money you earn or spend from your savings, and student loans in your name.  Grants and scholarships do not count as support you provide yourself.  If after adding up all your financial needs and all your own support, you provide more than half, then you can't be claimed as a dependent.  (Your parents don't have to pay the other half to be able to claim you, by the way.  It only matters if you pay more than half your own expenses, or less than half your own expenses.)

 

Be sure to discuss this with your parents before they file, to avoid conflicts and the possibly of an audit. 

 

 

Additionally, if you can be claimed as a dependent, even if they don't claim you as a dependent, you must report that you can be claimed by someone else as a dependent. 

To determine if you can be claimed as a dependent please see the following rules: 

https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-deductions-and-credits-2/family/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent-7658/#:~:text=Relationship%3A%20Must%20be%20your%20child,for%20at%20least%205%20months.