I have questions about dependents and being a student?

[elihud3022]

I'm 18 years old and still go to high school. But I worked a part time job. But my question is can my parents still claim me as a dependent even if I file my own taxes. And also, when it's asking about student, are they talking about college students or any student. Because I answered yes and it asked me about student loans. So I thought it only applied to college students.

[PatriciaR · Accepted solution]

Yes, your parents can claim you even if you file your own tax return.  See below for important answers to questions while completing your tax return.

You are not required to file a tax return if your earned income reported on a W-2 was less than $6,300.  If your W-2 for 2016 had federal income tax withheld, you should file a federal income tax return to get money back (refund). TurboTax Online has a Free version you may be able to use.

If you choose to complete an income tax return, it is important that you choose the following options: 

• Someone else can claim me as a dependent on their tax return and
• And this person will claim me on their 2016 tax return.

Lastly, student does mean any student, high school or college.  If you don't have any information in the student loan section, just go past it.