Why am I being asked to fill out a "Tax Computation for Certain Children with Unearned Income" form even though I was not claimed as a dependent in my parent's taxes?

[ColeenD3]

It is not just for dependents.

Who Must File Form 8615 must be filed for anyone who meets all of the following conditions. 1. You had more than $2,200 of unearned income. 2. You are required to file a tax return. 3. You were either: a. Under age 18 at the end of 2019, b. Age 18 at the end of 2019 and didn’t have earned income that was more than half of your support, or c. A full-time student at least age 19 and under age 24 at the end of 2019 and didn’t have earned income that was more than half of your support. (Earned income is defined later. Support is defined below.) 4. At least one of your parents was alive at the end of 2019. 5. You don’t file a joint return for 2019.

Form 8615

@mattg7038

[Hal_Al]

The eligibility for the "kiddie tax" is independent of dependency.  Just because your parents aren't claiming you, doesn't get you out of the kiddie tax. Furthermore, even if you do not qualify as a dependent*, you may still be subject to  "Tax Computation for Certain Children with Unearned Income" (kiddie tax).

*The subtle difference is: to not be a dependent, you must provide more than half your own support (e.g. student loans). To avoid the kiddie tax, you must provide more than half your own support with earned income.