Should I include a dependent with income on my return?

6 replies
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We are in a high tax bracket. Our son graduated college, and got a well paying job. But he works from our home, and we pay all his bills. Should we continue to include him as a dependent, or let him file his own? If we claim him as a dependent, do we have to include his income, or can he still file separately for his income?

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VolvoGirlAnswer

Level 15

If he was not a student in 2022 you can not claim him. And if he made over $4,400 for the whole year, not just per month. He will have to file his own return and he claims himself. Double check with your CPA friend, that seems wrong.

xmasbaby0

Level 15

Do you mean your son graduated from college in 2022? The year of graduation is tricky. How old was he at the end of 2022? Did he earn over $4400 in 2022? Provide a few more details about your son.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

Bsch4477

Level 15

Since he is not a student and earns more than $4,400 you can’t claim him as a dependent even though you provide more than half of his support. He files his own return.

NCperson

Level 15

@kerkar - under NO circumstance should his income get reported on your tax return. He has his own social security number and on your tax return only you and your spouse are 'tax payers'.

in the year of graduation, whether he can be a dependent is tricky.....I agree with @xmasbaby0

best to use the IRS app to be sure:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/whom-may-i-claim-as-a-dependent

if the child was in school for 5 months of 2022 (i.e. a "full time student" by definition" even if graduated in May), ...it comes down to whether or not the student provided more than 50% of his own support.

if no, then a dependent

if yes, then not a dependent

$4400 income limit doesn't matter.

Once not a full-time student, if he earns at least $4400 , he can't be a dependent.