Dependent ?

[Eli]

Young lady turned 24 on Nov 11, 2009. Work and goes to school. She earned just under $12000 in '09. Parents earned $16K. Parents claimed their 17 year old son & their 24 year old daughter(previously mentioned). The daughter says the parents were told at a VITA site that it would be best to claim her for financial aid purposes. I think the daughter should file on her own & parents should amend their return. There's no difference in the amount of their refund so that shouldn't be an issue. The mom says that she'll have to go back to the VITA site to confirm what I told her.

Is my thinking correct here?

Thanks!

Eli

[TAXBILLY]

Over 23 and earned more than $3650. Can't be claimed by parents.

taxbilly

[Eli]

Thanks, TaxBilly! She will be happy. She was losing almost $800.

Thanks again for that confirmation.

Eli

[jainen]

>>she'll have to go back to the VITA site<<

I recommend she give up on those guys. In my opinion, she should get financial aid advice from the experts in the college Financial Aids office.

[Gail in Virginia]

>>she'll have to go back to the VITA site<<

I recommend she give up on those guys. In my opinion, she should get financial aid advice from the experts in the college Financial Aids office.

Or at least check with her hair stylist :lol:

[Jack from Ohio]

FAFSA requirements about who is considered in the household for qualification are different than the IRS requirements for dependent.

Don't get the two confused.

[kcjenkins]

I's the parents who went to VITA, I think, not the daughter. But yes, the VITA people were wrong to take her once she was over 23. They may or may not be able to do a 1040X, tho.

[Eli]

I'm just going to prepare her return claiming her dependency. She can mail it in & let the IRS sort it out. It's quite a bit extra for her with tuition credits :-)

Thanks for the replies!!

Eli