Not sure if I am a dependent. Was a full time student until May + worked part time (non work study). Then I got a salaried job and have been working since mid-May. Help!

[singingolive]

I graduated undergrad in May and during that time this year, I worked part time jobs (non-work study). All of my tuition and housing were paid for by student loans in my name with my mom as a co-signer. 

After graduation, I started a salaried job immediately and have gone back and forth between an apartment and my parent's house (but I still pay them rent). Am I dependant? They're trying to get me to amend my tax return.

[DanO · Accepted solution]

Depends, if you provided half of your own support then you would not be qualifying child as a dependent, and if your income was more than $4,050 or you provided half your support you would not be a qualifying relative as a dependent of your parents.

Here are the requirements for claiming dependents so you can get a clear picture:

You can claim a dependent on your 2017 taxes as long the following requirements are met:

• You cannot claim a dependent if you, or your spouse if filing jointly, can be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.
• You can't claim a married person who files a joint return as a dependent unless the joint return is filed only to claim a refund of withheld income tax or estimated tax paid.
• You cannot claim a person as a dependent unless that person is a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico.
• You cannot claim a person as a dependent unless that person is your qualifying child or qualifying relative.

Qualifying child tests

• The child is related to you - son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them.
• The child is under the age of 19 at the end of the year (under age 24 if a student), and younger than you (or your spouse if filing jointly).
• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• The child lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).  Being away at school is an exception.
• The child provided less than half of his or her own support for the year.
• The child must not be filing a joint return for the year (unless that joint return is filed only to claim a refund of withheld income tax or estimated tax paid).

 Qualifying relative tests

• This person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of another taxpayer.
• They made less than $4,050 in 2017. (Social Security is not included)
• You provided more than half of their financial support. More info
• The person lived with you for the entire year as a member of your household, or they are related to you in any of the following  ways:
• Your child, stepchild, foster child, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your grandchild). (A legally adopted child is considered your child.)
• Your brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother, or stepsister.
• Your father, mother, grandparent, or other direct ancestor, but not foster parent.
• Your stepfather or stepmother.
• A son or daughter of your brother or sister.
• A son or daughter of your half-brother or half-sister.
• A brother or sister of your father or mother.
• Your son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law.

[singingolive]

Thank you!!! The thing is I believe I did provide my own support however, does living at college count since my legal residence is still my parents house even though I didn’t live there while in college?

[DanO]

Being away at school is considered a temporary absence and counts as if you were at home, but if you are providing half of your own support, then your parents cannot claim you as a dependent as a Qualifying Child or a Qualifying Relative. You can file and claim yourself.

[singingolive]

So I do think I provided half my support because I had jobs, and all my school funds are in loans. However, does it count as them providing my housing and heat and other things like that BECAUSE my residence is technically considered their house?