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March 3, 2025
Question

Can someone tell me how to claim my full time college student on my earned income credit? It's saying shes not full time and that is incorrect

  • March 3, 2025
  • 2 replies
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Can someone tell me why I cant claim my child on my earned income credit when she is a full time student

    2 replies

    March 3, 2025

    You may need to indicate that your student is full time in the section where you enter their Form 1098-T, on the screen that says What Was (name of student) Enrollment Status for 2024?:

     

    Also on the screen when you enter the Form 1098-T itself, check the Box 8 that says At least half-time student:

     

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    Hal_Al
    Employee
    March 3, 2025

    There are two types of dependents, "Qualifying Children"(QC) and Other ("Qualifying Relative" in IRS parlance even though they don't have to actually be related). There is no income limit for a QC but there is an age limit, student status, a relationship test and residence test. Only a QC qualifies a taxpayer for the Earned Income Credit. They are interrelated but the rules are different for each.

     

    The personal info section, for dependents, will ask the questions to qualify your dependent. When it sees that your child is over 18, it will ask for her student status. 

     

    If she is over 23, she cannot be a QC, even if she is a full time student. 

    Hal_Al
    Employee
    March 3, 2025

    If she is over 23, she cannot be a QC, even if she is a full time student.  So, she can only be a qualifying relative dependent and would not qualify you for the earned income credit.