My sister moved out of our parents house on 5/20. Our parents say they can still claim her as a dependent. Are they right?

[tgcalbion]

Sister is 18. She moved to a different state to live with me. She made about $5k in 2018 and is owed a small refund, however our parents have already filed their own return and claimed her as a dependent. 

We think that since she didn't live with them for more than half the year and provided her own support that she can't be claimed as their dependent, but we're afraid of special circumstances. 

Who is right?

[MarilynG]

It sounds like your sister would not be able to be claimed as a Dependent, since she provided 'over half of her own support', as you suggested.  

She could mail in her return, but she may not be eligible for any extra credits anyway, unless she has a child or education expenses. 

She can still Efile her own return and indicate she 'was claimed as a dependent' to get back any Federal Tax Withheld on her W-2. 

Here's info on who can be claimed as a Dependent:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/5187060