On one tax question, it asks if someone can claim me as a dependent... How do I know if i can be claim as a dependent. I'm 18 years old and live with my mother. But she isn't going to filing any taxes this year.
So am I my mom's dependent still?
Please help, I need my tax information asap so I can apply for grants. Thank you so much for your time.
2007-02-06 13:00:49 · 7 answers · asked by Peter Griffin 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
The tax code is very clear on this point. An individual under the age of 19 on December 31 is a dependent of his/her parents whether the parent claims them or not, regardless if the parent files an income tax. So you are your Mother's dependent. If she has very little income, this will work in your favor when you apply for grants.
The benefit of being a dependent is to be a Qualified Child for exemptions and credits on your Mom's tax return.
A dependent is a qualifying child if : 1. he is the child of a taxpayer 2. he lived with the taxpayer for more than 6 months of the year 3. he is under age 19 or under age 24 if a full time student 4. he does not provide more than 50% of his own support.
The bigger question is: why isn't your Mother filing taxes? If she has any income at all, she will qualify for several credits, including the Earned Income Credit, which has the potential to pay her several thousand dollars. She is head of household since you live with her, which gets very favorable credits. I suggest you take her to see a Tax Pro as soon as possible to determine the amount of EIC she can get, as well as the Telecommunications credit, Child Tax Credit and potential Education Credits for your college tuition and fees.
2007-02-08 20:46:32 · answer #1 · answered by Robert in Nuuanu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can file...as long as you had a job and paid taxes.
Most children are no longer considered dependents at the age of 18 when they reach legal adulthood.
2007-02-06 21:07:13 · answer #2 · answered by emaaaazing! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not a dependent if you provide at least half of your own support. If you provide at least half of your mother support, she may be your dependent for tax purposes. See page 19 of the 1040 instructions for details.
2007-02-06 22:40:46 · answer #3 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if she was filing she would be eligible to claim you since you live in her house. But since she is not filing she can't claim anything. Just make sure your father or anyone else who may have provided support for you is not claiming you
2007-02-06 22:47:48 · answer #4 · answered by hols 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to ask your parents if they ARE going to claim you as a dependent. It often makes more financial sense for your parents to claim you if they make more money than you, but if they are not working, then you need to say no to that question and get your money.
2007-02-06 21:09:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can claim yourself if no one else does.
2007-02-06 21:08:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
technically, yes, you are her dependent.
2007-02-06 21:08:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋