Question about dependent status and the impact on education credits

Sgiraldo2025 · ‎March 26, 2025

I am the parent of a 22-year-old full-time college student who also works and receives financial aid from her college. We provide some financial support, but not a lot since she has a good scholarship. I am helping her with her taxes, and we have always checked ‘Yes’ to the question asking if someone else can claim her as a dependent. However, we are not U.S. taxpayers—we are Colombian residents and file taxes in Colombia. Does this question specifically refer to being claimed on a U.S. tax return, or does a foreign tax claim also count? The answer to that question has an impact on the education credits she would be able to include in her tax return. Thanks.

ThomasM125

Yes, the question does refer to being claimed as a dependent on a US tax return. So, she should not indicate that someone can claim her as a dependent, as you cannot file a US tax return and thus cannot claim her on your tax return as a dependent.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Sgiraldo2025

Thanks! Would it make sense to go back and correct the last two tax returns (2022 and 2023) since she answered that question incorrectly? She marked ‘Yes,’ but she was not actually claimed as a dependent on a U.S. tax return. I assume she could now claim an education credit for those years. If she amends her returns, would the dependency status affect only the federal tax return, or would it also impact the state tax return?

DianeW777

Yes, you can amend the prior two tax returns to correct the question about being claimed as a dependent. You can include her state returns as well. It may or may not affect the state depending on gross income and possible education credits.