Can I claim myself as an independent? Should I?
Thursday, 25. March 2010
I have recently moved out & have a job where I make about $1400 a month. I have a room in a nice lady’s house & pay $575/month(includes utilities). I also pay my car insurance, gas, etc. My parents lent me money to buy a car in January, & I have been paying them off $200 a month since I moved out.
Basically the only expenses my parents pay for are: prescription medications, which usually are around $520/month (no insurance) and for treatment (not sure of exact cost, i think ~ $200 a week).
Anyway, i heard that if I am paying living expenses I can claim myself as an independent.
I don’t know what defines being an independent (in the tax/financial sense) . If I CAN’T now, how can I claim that in the future? I am getting a different job soon w/ health insurance, so if my parents don’t pay the $500/month for meds (but still pay $200/wk for treatment) will that make me independent?
Also, what is the benefit of claiming independent? Can I get any kind of discounts or extra money/savings?
Don Says:
If you are over 18 and not in school your parents cannot claim you as a dependent unless you are living at home and disabled and they are providing at least half of your living expense.
Yans Olafsson Says:
I don’t think you declare yourself as an independent. Rather, if you lived at home, your parents could claim you as a dependent. If you’re out of the home then I think you’re independent.