Should I claim my 20 year old son?
He earned about $6,000 while attending college full time. Is it better to claim him as a dependent or is it better if he file separately?
(Asked 01/31/09, Views 189)
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kit650
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Howard1948
SuperUser
Both. Sounds like you can still claim him as a dependent.
You do NOT include the earned income of a dependent or anyone else (other than a spouse filing a joint return) on your tax return. Your dependent needs to determine whether he/she needs to file his/her own return. Filing requirements are included in IRS Publication 501 pages 3 and 4 which can be found on the IRS website at www.irs.gov. Even if his/her income is below the filing requirement, he/she may still want to file a return if he/she can get a refund of any Federal/state income taxes that may have been withheld from the paycheck.
(Posted 01/31/09)
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Howard1948
SuperUser
Yes, exactly. You claim him as a dependent and he files his own separate return. On that return, there is a box to check if he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return. Be sure he checks that box.
(Posted 02/01/09)
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Howard1948, I don't understand your response. Are you saying I would claim my son as a dependent on my return AND have him file separately? Thank you in advance.