How much can a college student make and still be a dependent?

Asked by: Anderson Collins  |  Last update: February 12, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (48 votes)

If it's more than $11,000, your student will need to file their own tax return. If your student is employed, you should not claim their earned income on your return. If your student files their own tax return, you can still claim them as a dependent, but you shouldn't claim their income on your return.

Can I still claim my college student as a dependent if they work?

Claim son as a dependent if he's a college student and works Claim son as a dependent if he's a college student and works Yes, you can claim your son. If he has a part-time job and made more than the standard deduction amount for the tax year ($12200 in 2019), he is required to file this own tax return.

How much money can my child make and still be claimed as a dependent?

The child must have lived with you for more than half of the year.2 3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $4,300.3 Gross income means all income the person received in the form of money, goods, property and services, that isn't exempt from tax.

When should I stop claiming my child as a dependent?

Age requirement: Your child must be under age 19 or, if a full-time student, under age 24. There is no age limit if your child is permanently and totally disabled.

How much money can I make and my parents still claim me as a dependent?

For parents, there's no upper limit on income to claim a dependent. Someone making a million dollars per year can still claim their children as dependents.

How much money can a student make and still be a dependent?

26 related questions found

Can I claim my daughter as a dependent if she made over $10000?

If your dependent is a qualifying child, there is no limit to the amount of income they can earn. Generally, to qualify, the child must meet the specific relationship, age, residency, and support requirements. However, if your dependent is classified as a qualifying relative, their gross income must not exceed $4,700.

Should I let my college student claim herself?

Is it better for college students to claim themselves? College students who are funding more than half of their living expenses could see a financial benefit from filing independently. To file as an independent, however, a college student must provide for more than half of their financial needs.

At what age can your parents no longer claim you as a dependent?

Once your child reaches the age of 18, they are considered an adult in the eyes of the IRS. However, if they are still a full-time student, you can continue to claim them as a dependent until they turn 24. Once they are no longer a full-time student, you must stop claiming them.

Can I claim my child's college tuition on my taxes?

Yes, you are not required to claim the credit for a particular year. If your child's college does not consider your child to have completed the first four years of college at the beginning of 2024, you can qualify to take the credit for up to four tax years.

Can I claim my son as a dependent if he works?

While there are many nuances to tax dependents, you can still claim them even if they earn income or receive SNAP benefits or other government assistance.

What are the disadvantages of claiming a parent as dependent?

The downsides of claiming parents as dependents
  • More financial responsibility: To claim a parent as a dependent, you must cover more than half of their financial support. ...
  • Sibling restrictions: Do you share the expenses of caring for a parent with a sibling?

What happens if your dependent has income?

If you have a dependent who's earning income, good news — you can still claim them as a dependent so long as other dependent rules still apply. Your dependent's earned income doesn't go on your return. Filing tax returns for children is easy in that respect.

Why do you lose child tax credit at age 17?

This age has typically marked the end of school and the start of either higher education or employment. The underlying purpose of the CTC is to financially support families during their children's growth and development years.

When should a student not be claimed as a dependent?

However, to claim a college student as a dependent on your taxes, the Internal Revenue Service has determined that the qualifying child or qualifying relative must: Be younger than the taxpayer (or spouse if MFJ) and: Be under age 19, Under age 24 and a full-time student for at least five months of the year.

Can I claim my 20 year old daughter as a dependent?

Relationship: Must be your child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (grandchild or niece/nephew). Residence: Must have the same residence for more than half the year (exceptions apply). Age: Must be under age 19 or under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months.

How much can a college student make without paying taxes?

If you're wondering if you should bother filing because you only work over the summer or a few hours part-time during the school year, the answer is YES! You aren't required to file if your income is under $13,850 for tax year 2023, but you may be able to take advantage of those credits and deductions we mentioned.

Can you still claim your child on taxes if they are in college?

If your child meets these requirements and is a full-time college student, you can claim them as a dependent until they are 24. If they are working while in school, you must still provide more than half of their financial support to claim them.

What is the income limit for the tuition deduction?

For the American Opportunity Credit the education credit income limit is as follows: Single, head of household, or qualifying widow(er) — $80,000-$90,000. Married filing jointly — $160,000-$180,000.

Can I claim tuition on my taxes if my parents paid?

If you are a dependent of your parents, then only your parents can claim your education expenses and your form 1098-T must be entered on their return. If you can't be claimed as a dependent, then you enter your 1098-T form on your own return. It doesn't matter who paid your tuition.

When should you stop claiming your child as a dependent?

To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you or your spouse if filing jointly and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.

Can my parents claim me as a dependent and I still file taxes?

Even if someone else, like a parent, claims you on their own tax return, you may still be required to file your own return.

How much can a dependent make and still be claimed?

If your gross income was $5,050 or more, you usually can't be claimed as a dependent unless you are a qualifying child. For details, see Dependents.

Do college students get a bigger tax refund?

Tax Credits for Higher Education Expenses

The American Opportunity Credit allows you to claim up to $2,500 per student per year for the first four years of school as the student works toward a degree or similar credential.

Can I deduct my daughter's college tuition?

The American Opportunity Tax Credit

You can claim the AOTC for a credit up to $2,500 if: Your student is in their first four years of college. Your income doesn't exceed $160,000 if you are married filing a joint return. Your income doesn't exceed $80,000 as a single taxpayer.

Should the parent with higher income claim the child?

If a child lived with each parent the same amount of time during the year, the IRS allows the parent with the higher adjusted gross income (AGI) to claim the child.