From: Manchester NH

From: Manchester, NH

Dear TaxMama,

When my daughter entered college 3 years ago, she changed her legal addresss to mine and moved in. (I am divorced and she has always lived with her mom.)

Should I have started claiming her as a dependent, since she is a full time student who only works during her summer break?

If I can claim her, would it be worth filing an amended return for the past 2 years? I currently do not claim anyone and my refunds seem a little on the low side, compared to others I work with who have an equivalent income (around $22,000/year ).

Thanks

David

 

Dear David

Aw, your daughter is so lucky to get to be with her dad. And vice versa ....even if she does give you some extra gray hairs.

As to being a dependent, if your daughter is a full-time student and lives with you more than half the year and you provided more than half her support- yup, she probably qualifies.

Make sure that her mother didn't take her as a dependent, otherwise you're in for a fight.

Once you're sure that you're not in conflict with your ex, you can go back and amend for the last three years 2001-2003.

You'll be able to claim two benefits -

1) Head of household (HOH) status,which will give you a larger standard deduction than single.

2) the personal exemption for your daughter.

3) If your income were higher, HOH would give you the additional benefit of expanding the tax brackets, making your income taxed at lower rates.

Go for it!

Best wishes,

Best wishes,
Eva Rosenberg, MBA, EA