My son goes to college at OU in athens OH he made $3904 .00 im claiming him do i still need to do the MAG on my return its say he needs to make over $6300 for him to file

[SeanE1 · Accepted solution]

The only time income matters when claiming a child is when they are older than 19 years old or 23 if a full-time student.  The IRS designed the two tests below, (Qualified Child and Qualified Relative) to help taxpayers determine if they may claim another person as their dependent.  

For 2016, a single person is required to file an income tax return if their gross income is above $10,350.  Gross income is comprised of earned income (from a job) plus unearned income (interest and dividends). So no, your son will not have to file an income tax return unless his interest and dividends are greater than $6,446.

A parent may claim their child if they meet either the qualifying child or qualifying relative test as outlined below:

Qualifying Child

These 5 tests (all of them), will qualify a child as a dependent:

• Relationship: They must be your child, adopted child, foster-child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (grand or nephew).
• Residence: They had to live with you in the same residence for more than half the year. Being away at school is considered as living at home. 
• Age: Must be under age 19 or under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months of the year. They can be any age if they are totally and permanently disabled.
• Support: child did not provide more than half of their own support during the year.
• Joint Support: The child cannot file a joint return for the year.

Qualifying Relative

These 4 tests (all of them) will qualify a relative as a dependent:

• Not Qualifying Child: They are not your or another taxpayer’s “qualifying child” 
• Gross Income: Dependent has to earn less than $4,050 in 2016.
• Total Support: You provide more than half of the total support for the year.
• Member of Household or Relationship: The person (a friend, girlfriend, non blood relative) must live with you all year as a member of your household or be one of the relatives that doesn’t have to live with you (mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, stepmother, stepfather, your child, stepchild, foster child, adopted child, etc) Note: this list is not all inclusive.