Last year I could have had $800 for my tax refund, but because my parents could claim me as a dependent, I only got $350. This is not fair. They are costing me money! They continue to claim me (I'm 22 years old) and they seem not to care if it makes my return be less. Do they get more for claiming me? If they do, this makes them greedy, selfish parents! What about ME? LOL! I'm sick of it being all about THEM all the time. What's in it for me? Sigh...$tupid parents! TIRED!
2007-11-06 05:21:31 · 9 answers · asked by 1328 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ Other - Taxes
I live at home with them, by the way...
2007-11-06 05:27:19 · update #1
Would need more information to answer your question. But here are the basics:
Your parents can claim you as a dependent up through age 18 as long as you live in their home for at least half of the year and do not pay more than 50% of your own support.
If you are a full time student, they can continue to claim you as a dependent up through age 22. The same residency and support rules apply.
If you are over 18 and not a full time student, they can still claim you under the "Qualifying Relative" rule if you live in their home all year, have less than $3,400 in gross income from all sources, and they pay more than 50% of your total support.
If any of the above apply, they are entitled to the exemption and you are not, plain and simple. The only way to stop that is to start paying over 50% of your own support. Better yet, get off your backside and get your own place!
One comment on your attitude, though. Your folks have invested about a quarter of a million dollars in your lazy butt and you call them greedy over a measly $450? You're the stupid ingrate in this scenario!
2007-11-06 18:21:15 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are costing you money? How about you are costing them money to support you - and a lot more than $450 a year.
Your refund is lower because they get the exemption for you - if they are entitled to it, then you can't take it even if they didn't take it on their tax return. If you meet the rules to be their dependent, then you can't claim yourself.
How do you stop it? Move out and start supporting yourself, and you'll get your own exemption and the higher refund. Good luck on finding an apartment to rent, buying food and all the other things that are now provided for you, on $1.23 a day, though. Frankly, you sound like a spoiled brat with your whining about your parents. So move out - you're old enough.
Now, the other issue. You say you are 22. If you are still a full-time student for at least 5 months of the year, they can still claim you - otherwise they can't.
2007-11-06 05:44:05 · answer #2 · answered by Judy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What they do has no effect on your taxes. The amount that you receive is determined by whether they CAN claim you, not by whether they DO claim you. If the tax laws say that they MAY claim you, then you get only (in this case) $350, whether or not they actually do. They are not being greedy or selfish. They (unlike you) understand the tax laws will enough to know that what they do on their return does NOT affect your taxes.
2007-11-06 06:18:14 · answer #3 · answered by StephenWeinstein 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you are your parents dependent they can claim your personal exemption ($3400) and you cannot. They can't claim it if they are not supporting you so how can they be selfish, and greedy? If you want to claim yourself then you need to become completely independent. Do you mean to say they don't provide you with at least $350 worth of housing/ food whatever? If they have wrongfully claimed you and you are really NOT their dependent then you need to discuss that with the IRS and they will make the determination. Your parents can't just randomly claim you if they are not actually supporting you.
2007-11-06 05:29:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you live at home and are a full time student, they get to claim you. If you are not a student, there are limits to how much money you can make, before they can no longer claim you. While you see it as costing you money, how much did you "save" in rent and food by living at home. I am guessing they got a lot more back from claiming you, then you would have claiming you! Talk to them and see if they won't give you half of what it "costs" you not to claim yourself.
2007-11-06 05:33:49 · answer #5 · answered by Emily E 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
are you also a full time student? if your parents are providing your medical insurance and your housing, then you should be grateful that they are doing that for you.
they get a certain amount of deduction for you. but believe me, what they get to claim on their taxes comes no where near what it costs them to support you.
consider yourself fortunate young lady! you have parents that genuinely care about your well being. you should be embarrassed that YOU are so greedy. $450 more in your tax return. do you think that $450 will put a roof over your head or food on your table for a year.
SHAME ON YOU!!!
2007-11-06 14:48:36 · answer #6 · answered by ginger b 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your parents are still significantly supporting you then they can claim you on their tax return. Anyone can be claimed as a dependent by your parents if they meet certain rules.
As a result, they get an additional exemption from paying a certain amount of tax and you pay more tax.
If they are still claiming you and you can be defined as independent, they are breaking the law.
This may help: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p929.pdf
2007-11-06 05:31:23 · answer #7 · answered by Other Guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as they pay more than 50 % of you living expenses they have the right to claim you as long as you live at home until you are 24. i had the same problem. but now i am 24 and they cant claim me. so until then, you dont have a leg to stand on.
2007-11-06 05:32:32 · answer #8 · answered by cameron_m_johnson 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You should talk to an accountant. I wasn't aware you could be claimed after the age of 18.
2007-11-06 05:25:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋