My child was in college for half the year and didn't start his job until August. He filed for his income August - December. Why can't I claim him as a dependent?

[sean-norris1313]

My return keeps getting rejected because a SS

[TomD8]

Did he remember to indicate on his return that someone else could claim him as a dependent?

[ALC_sage · Accepted solution]

Only one person can claim the deduction - you or your child.  Your return could be rejected if your child claimed the exemption on their tax return, and didn't check the box that someone could claim them as a dependent.

When I had a similiar situation with my children, we ran our tax returns both ways to determine who got the biggest tax savings (me), and then filed to maximize the tax savings.  I then paid them the difference between the taxes owed with and without the exemption, and still benefited some from claiming them as a dependent.

[TomD8]

@ALC_sage —

Unfortunately, there is no option involved.  If a person CAN be claimed as a dependent, they MUST indicate that on their tax return - regardless of whether the parent (or other party) actually claims them or not.