Should my college student claim herself?

Asked by: Jarrod Murazik Jr.  |  Last update: January 23, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (41 votes)

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.

Is it better for a college student to claim themselves on taxes?

Additionally, some education tax credits, like the AOTC and LLC, phase out at higher income levels. If your income exceeds the threshold, neither you nor your child may benefit from these credits, and in such cases, it might be more beneficial for your child to file independently and claim the credits themselves.

When should I not claim my college student as a dependent?

As a full-time student under age 24, you can NOT claim your own exemption UNLESS (1) You paid for over 50% of all of your support *OR* (2) You have PERMANENTLY moved out of your parents home. If either of those are true, then your mom can not claim you.

Should I claim my 20 year old college student as a dependent?

If your child 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... You may be able to claim them as a dependent even if they file their own return.

Should I file my own taxes as a college student?

No. You are not required to file. But there is a case when you may want to file. If you cannot be claimed as a dependent on anybody else's return, and you are over age 23, at the end of the tax year, you may be able to claim an (up to) $1000 refundable education credit.

Can I Still Claim My College Kid As A Dependent On My Taxes?

32 related questions found

Can a college student file taxes if parents claim them?

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.

Do I get money back from 1098-T?

The 1098-T form isn't just about reminding you how much you paid for that Organic Chemistry class you barely survived. It's also your ticket to potential tax breaks and deductions. There are a couple to consider: The American Opportunity Tax Credit can be worth up to $2,500 for each eligible student.

Can I claim my daughter as a dependent if she made over $4000?

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 to 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.

How much can a college student earn and still be claimed as a dependent?

If you're still interested in claiming dependents, but your child doesn't meet these tests, your college student can still be your dependent if: You provide more than half of the child's support. The child's gross income (income that's not exempt from tax) is less than $4,700 in 2023.

What are the benefits of claiming a college student as dependent?

The ability to claim a college student as a dependent generally makes taxpayers eligible for more credits and deductions, such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC).

At what age is a student no longer a dependent?

Qualifying child

Age: Be under age 19 or under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled. Residency: Live with you for more than half the year, with some exceptions. Support: Get more than half their financial support from you.

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.

When should my parents stop claiming me as a dependent?

Yes, your parents can claim you as a dependent after the age of 18 indefinitely as long as you meet the qualifying household and financial support requirements.

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.

What can you write off on your taxes as a college student?

Smart Tax Deductions for Young Adults
  • American Opportunity Tax Credit. If someone is still in school, they might qualify for The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). ...
  • Lifetime Learning Credit. ...
  • Student Loan Interest. ...
  • Moving Expenses. ...
  • Self-Employment Tax. ...
  • Home Office. ...
  • Standard Mileage Rate. ...
  • Car Expenses.

Can I still claim my child as a dependent if they file taxes?

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. Yet, there are many things to keep top of mind when claiming dependent taxes, so let us help!

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.

Can a college student claim independent on taxes?

Students receive multiple tax benefits by filing as an independent student. The IRS considers wrongfully claiming a dependent a form of identity theft. Students may need to file an amended or paper tax return demonstrating their independent status.

At what age can you no longer claim 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 I claim my daughter as a dependent if she made over $12000?

A qualifying child can earn an unlimited amount of money and still be claimed as a dependent, so long as the child doesn't also provide more than half of their own support.

Can I claim my son as a dependent if he is in college and works?

Yes, if they meet certain criteria, you can claim your child as a dependent even if they are over 18. For instance, if your dependent is a college student full-time, they can qualify as a dependent up to 24 years old.

Should college students file their own tax return?

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.

Who claims the 1098-T student or parent?

If you claim a dependent, only you can claim the education credit. Therefore, you would enter Form 1098-T and the dependent's other education information in your return. If you do not claim a dependent, the student can claim the education credit.

How much money can a student make without paying taxes?

"If wages are less than $13,850, the student should still consider filing to receive refunds from federal and state withholding taxes," says Michael Trank, a CPA and personal financial specialist at Wertz and Company in Irvine, California.