If my 22 year old child filed independently but did not claim their college expenses that we paid can I claim them even if she is not my dependent?

[DoninGA]

If you are not claiming the student as your dependent you cannot deduct any of their education expenses on your tax return.

[NCperson]

@steveandshannon925 but the question may really be, should she be your dependent? 

She doesn't have the right to simply state she isn't your dependent.  That is not the way the rules work.  It's your right to claim her (if the rules indicate she is yuour dependent).   What is the situation? did she graduate college? did she get a job? did she provide more than 50% of her own support? 

And if it turns out that truly she can not be your dependent, then she can claim attempt to claim the tax credits, even though you paid the educational costs.  (but being under 24 years old makes even that a challenge).

I think it may be worth backing up to determine if she should be your dependent.  And if she is, then you can claim her, claim the educational tax credts (if the other rules are acheived) and then amend her return..  But as stated, you can't take the edicational credits unless she is your dependent. 

this IRS app will determine if she is your dependent or not. 

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/whom-may-i-claim-as-a-dependent