I am a 24 yr. old college student, and he has supported me the last two years. He has even helped pay for my education. We are trying to figure out how to claim my school expenses as a deduction, but we don't know if he can claim it or not. I could do my taxes on my own, but it wouldn't actually get anything back as EIC cause I have no other dependents myself. Or that is what I was told anyway.
2007-03-06 01:04:53 · 5 answers · asked by Rachel A 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
I assume you were 24 on 12/31/2006.
Your boyfriend can claim you as a dependent on his taxes if
1. You and the boyfriend lived together 12 months in 2006.
2. You have taxable income of less than $3,300
3. Your boyfriend provided over half of your support.
Now, if the boyfriend claims you on his tax return, you can file yourself but you cannot claim an exemption for yourself. Since you are claimed as a dependent, you cannot take any of the education benefits.
However, if you are the boyfriend's dependent, the boyfriend can claim the Hope Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, or Tuition and Fees Deduction for expenses he paid, and for expenses you or a third party (such as your parents) paid, assuming he is not married filing separately and a few other restrictions.
More details in IRS Pub 970.
Regarding EIC, neither you nor the boyfriend can get any EIC. You are under 25 with no children, and you do not qualify the boyfriend for EIC since you are not his "qualifying child."
2007-03-06 03:12:26 · answer #1 · answered by ninasgramma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you lived with him ALL year, he paid over half of your support, your gross income for the year was under $3300, and your relationship doesn't violate any state or local laws or ordinances, then he probably can claim you as a dependent, and take education credits for your tuition and fees. If any one of those rules isn't the case, like if you made over $3300 for the year, then no he can't.
If he can claim you, but you want to file your own return to get federal income tax withholding refunded to you, then you can do that - just be sure to note on your return that you can be claimed as a dependent. You won't get an exemption for yourself, but if your income is under $3300, that won't matter and wouldn't do you any good anyway.
You say he has "helped" pay for your education. Your education expenses are part of your total support, so must be considered when calculating whether or not he paid over half of your total support.
If he can and does claim you, that does NOT qualify him to file as head of household.
2007-03-06 12:02:51 · answer #2 · answered by Judy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think your boyfriend can do that. I would file your expenses on your tax return and take him out for a night on the town...
2007-03-06 09:08:50 · answer #3 · answered by De 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The last two answers were right, so just just make sure you fit the requirements they listed and he can.
2007-03-10 08:15:37 · answer #4 · answered by trixxxi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless your married or a minor under his care, which you are not, he cannot claim you on his taxes.
2007-03-06 09:13:51 · answer #5 · answered by Sane 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋