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I just turned 19 so I'm a legal adult. I moved out of mothers due to neglect and abuse, but still remain somewhat friendly with her. However, she texted wanting to know if she could claim me on her tax returns. I roughly paid around 6K or 5,600 in taxes. But, I believe she's trying to claim me as a dependent even though I haven't lived with her for nearly two years.

She's using the excuse as that she would be able to give me more. So my question I guess is which way would it be beneficial? What happens if I claim myself and then she tries to claim me? Is it illegal for her to claim me when I'm an adult?

Porixify
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2 Answers2

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There are very specific rules that govern whether or not a person qualifies as a dependent of another. You can learn about them on this IRS tutorial about dependents.

Based on what you've said in your question, I doubt she would be allowed to claim you as a dependent. Because you are a full time student you do meet the age test (under age 24), but you fail the support test, because you provide more than half of your own support.

Inform her that she cannot legally claim you as a dependent and that you intend to claim your own exemption. If she does claim you and you also claim yourself, the two of you will hear from the IRS, and when you explain the situation to them, your mother will owe additional tax.

Ben Miller
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If you have taxable income above the dependent deduction amount then she will not be able to claim you. In a case where perhaps you worked but your taxable income did not exceed the deduction amount, as was my case for a few years, then if you were legally her dependent then she could claim the deduction, if even a partial. If you are not her dependent I highly recommend not allowing her to claim you --- if you are going to college and trying to obtain federal funding it will severely limit your access to those funds.

rachaels
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