I am a full-time 20y/o student preparing taxes for the first time. Am I required to say that someone else can claim me as dependent on their tax return?

[dycn55]

As the title says, I'm a 20y/o full-time student. I am able to provide over half of my own support (with earned income). Can I answer "no" to "Someone else can claim me as a dependent on their tax return?" My parents will not be claiming me this year.

[DawnC · Accepted solution]

You can only mark NO to that question if your parents can NOT claim you.   It doesn't matter if they do or don't claim you for that question.   The first question only asks if they CAN claim you.   If you pay for more than half of your total support with earned income, they cannot claim you.    See under Qualifying Child.   

For the support test, here is a worksheet you can use if needed.   While the specifics may be debatable in certain circles, here's what the IRS considers typical for the purposes of a tax return:

Support includes:
- Food
- Lodging (even if your mortgage is paid off)
- Clothing
- Education (including the GI bill)
- Medical and dental care (including insurance and supplementary Medicare premiums)
- Recreation
- Transportation and similar necessities

Support does not include:
- Life insurance premiums
- Funeral expenses
- Federal, state, or local income taxes or Social Security and Medicare taxes paid on a person's own income
- Scholarship grants
- Income made by a disabled person in a sheltered workshop