Question

Dependent - Education Credits

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
February 25, 2020
2 replies
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My child lived with me Jan - Jun and attended college at one school and then lived on her own from Jul - Dec and attended another college. Can I claim her as a dependent and use the 1098-T for the first school? And can she file taxes on her own and claim the 1098-T for the second school?

H

HelenC12

No, she can't claim the education credits if you claim her as a dependent. You can't claim a dependent for only 1/2 a year. The fact that she lived away from home because of school, doesn't matter. The IRS considers that a temporary absence.

Either she claims herself and claims both 1098-T forms or you claim her as a dependent and you claim both 1098-T forms.

For additional information, click here.

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Hal_Al

Employee

It depends on several things. What does "lived on her own" mean? If a child is away at school, even living off campus, that is considered a temporary absence and the child is still considered as living with the parent.

If the child did really move out permanently, it depends on the exact date. If after July 2, she resided with you for more than half the year and is still your Qualifying child dependent. If before July 2, then it depends on her income and how she was supported, if she can be a standard (non child) dependent.