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posted Jun 3, 2019 4:21:53 PM

My son who is 21 made over 5000 wortking but he is a full time student and i pay for all his other expenses. Can i claim him as a dependent. Do I add his w-2 to my tax return. Also does he file a sepaarte tax retrurn on his income? What about his 1098. Do

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Expert Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 4:21:55 PM

It depends.  If your son lived with you for 6 months and 1 day or more last year (being away at school is a temporary absence: he still is considered living with you), and he did not provide for half of his own support, then he is still your qualifying child, and you will claim him as a dependent as such.  Here is a link that further defines this:  Qualifying Child.

You never add his W-2 to your tax return.  He will file that information separately as a dependent (he still receives his personal deduction of up to $6300, so he likely has no taxable income).  In TurboTax, he will select that someone else has or will claim him on the return.

However, you will claim his school expenses to determine if you qualify for the American Opportunity or other school credits.  Here is an FAQ which provides more information on this:   https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3301513

1 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 4:21:55 PM

It depends.  If your son lived with you for 6 months and 1 day or more last year (being away at school is a temporary absence: he still is considered living with you), and he did not provide for half of his own support, then he is still your qualifying child, and you will claim him as a dependent as such.  Here is a link that further defines this:  Qualifying Child.

You never add his W-2 to your tax return.  He will file that information separately as a dependent (he still receives his personal deduction of up to $6300, so he likely has no taxable income).  In TurboTax, he will select that someone else has or will claim him on the return.

However, you will claim his school expenses to determine if you qualify for the American Opportunity or other school credits.  Here is an FAQ which provides more information on this:   https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3301513