If a parent claims me as a dependent when I don't want them to, will there be repercussions for me?

[Grace-Nixon]

My dad has stated he won't claim me, but I no longer have contact with my mom. This is my first year filing taxes as an adult, and I'd like to be completely separated from her in any financial records going forward, but I have no idea if she'll still try claiming me as a dependent anyway and screw me over somehow. (TLDR: abusive mom will want to claim me for benefits and I don't want her to.)

[Bsch4477]

Since you don’t live with her she can’t legally claim you. If your Dad CAN claim you, even if he doesn’t, you must on your return check the box saying someone else can claim you. 

[xmasbaby0]

You have not mentioned your age or whether you were a student in 2024, so we do not know if anyone "CAN" claim you as a dependent.   If someone uses your SSN on a tax return to claim you and they file first, your own e-file will be rejected.   If your e-file is rejected, you will need to file by mail instead.  Then the IRS will sort out whether you could be claimed.   If you were claimed by someone who should not have claimed you, they will face payment of any credits they received as a result of claiming you.   If you are older than 16, the only credit they get is a non-refundable $500 credit.

[xmasbaby0]

@Grace-Nixon You need to know if your dad "can" claim you even if he says he will not, because the rule is if someone CAN claim you, you must say on your own return that you can be claimed as someone else's dependent.

As if you are "Dad"---what are the answers to the questions in this IRS tool?

IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent