Not sure whether daughters file this year and we don't claim as dependents?

[missyjo111]

My daughters are 18 and 20.  They both lived with us all last year.    One made $3600 at her job and the other $10,000.  They both file and we can't claim them as dependents, is that right?  Even though they lived with us all last year and we paid for food etc for them?  Trying to get taxes done to file fasfa and want to do it correctly.  Thanks.

[missyjo111]

They're both full time college students and have rec'd some student aid as well.  Live with us.  I thought I could claim them, but wasn't sure if their own returns also?

[LinaJ2018 · Accepted solution]

In order to claim them, you have to meet the following requirements for each of them :

-Relationship: Must be your child, adopted child, foster-child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these

-Residence: Must have the same residence for more than half the year.

-Age:  Must be under age 19 or under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months. They can be any age if they are totally and permanently disabled.

-Support:  She must not have provided more than half of their own support during the year.  Check  Support Test

-Joint Support: She cannot file a joint return for the year.

If you do not meet the above requirements, here is a second chance you can still claim them if meet the followings:

Gross Income: She earned less than $4,200 in 2019.

Total Support: You provide more than half of her total support for the year. -Check Support Test

Relationship: Must be your child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these 

She cannot be claimed by another taxpayer

-You will need to apply the above rules to each of your daughters to see if each of them qualifies to be claimed as your dependent.

[Edited 4/3/2020 | 6:38 PM]

[VolvoGirl]

You can claim the 18 year old since she is under 19.
You can claim the 20 year old if she is a full time student no matter how much she makes.  

Be sure on their returns they checked the box that says they can be claimed on Someone Else's return.  That is very important.  If they claimed themselves then you will have to mail your return this year to claim them.  And they will have to mail in Amended returns to change to dependent.  

On their returns check line/box 6a should not be checked
On a 1040EZ line 5 should be checked for "YOU".

[missyjo111]

Wonderful.  Thanks for both of the responses!  All my questions are answered.....and super quickly!

[missyjo111]

We claimed them......The part with the 1098 for their School Grants, I put that on my taxes and not on their's correct?