If a dependent child files their own tax return should I claim them on my taxes?

[EdR60]

The details of where I am confused are convoluted. But, I'll try. I have a daughter who was 17 last year, so I included her on my return as a dependent. I was pleasantly looking at a Refund. Continuing on with the process... In the Health section of my return through the online process, I had state that she received her own wages and filed her own tax return and the amount it said to input was her MAGI (from line 7) from her return, on which it puts me now in the OWE category. She had not taxable income because her standard deduction was higher than her AGI... but I have to put in her AGI which flipped me. Should I remove her from my return?

[MarkRo]

If your child files their own return, you cannot claim them as a dependent on your return.   

To determine whether you should claim your child as a dependent, or whether they should file on their own, you can run two scenarios and determine which scenario gives you the best outcome.  

Scenario 1: Prepare your return with your daughter listed as your dependent to determine the financial outcome (whether you get a refund or owe).  Scenario 2: Prepare your return with your daughter NOT listed as a dependent and combine the financial outcome of your return with the financial outcome of your daughter's return.      Compare the outcomes of both scenarios to see which outcome yields the highest combined benefit.