I am a 21 year old full time college student who pays all of my bills on my own and I'm confused on whether I can claim independent or not. I understand I fall under the dependent category BUT, my mother does not provide any financial support. I go to college out of state, live off campus (signed lease apt with a roommate) and all other expenses (rent, utilities, phone, transportation, food, and clothing) are paid for by me. All tuition that was NOT covered by scholarships and grants were paid for with federal student loans that are under my name. I should also note that I pay my rent in advance with my student loan refund money. I earned over $6,000 last year and money earned from work covers over expenses. Should I claim independent if my mother has claimed me for the past 3 years?
So with the info that's Provided so far would she be able to claim earned income credit
No.Single taxpayers with no kids have to be 25 years of age or older.
I thought that college student who is not being claimed as a dependent by anybody and makes less than $15,000 and in school could qualify for eic?
No. See post above. You have to be 25 or under 65 if you don't have a child to get EIC.
Or would it make more sense to have her claim head of household as I (her mother) am disabled and on social security with income of $4000 or less, however I am not filing head of household as if claimed her then she would not have been able to afford health insurance so I am not claiming her.
Well, she still wouldn't qualify for EIC, although it would lower her income tax. I think she WOULD have been able to get affordable health insurance through the exchange but probably not now (maybe next year).
If you provided over half of your own support, then your mother is not eligible to claim you as a dependent and you will claim your personal exemption for yourself on your tax return. Please see the following rules for what qualifies a person as a dependent for more information:
There are 5 test that will qualify a child as a dependent as follows:
There are 4 tests that will qualify a relative as a dependent as follows:
Note that the Support test you bolded doesn't require the parent to provide over 50% of support.
Thank you. I reworded to indicate that the child must not provide over half of their own support.