You can be claimed as a dependent by ONE person. Either your mom, or yourself. Not both. Who should? Whoever makes more money. Simple as that.
That'd be your mom.
Do your previous years taxes, but DO NOT claim yourself as a dependent. Do this carefully. Read the fine print. You need to take 0 exemptions even though it says you can take 1.
As you're filling out the form you may go "Hey! This means I pay more taxes!" Yes, it does, but only like $200 more, right? Thing is, taking you as a deduction lets your parents pay like $1200 less. They save more because they are in a higher tax bracket (because they make more). The deduction is more valuable to them than to you. Get it?
So work together otherwise the IRS takes your family for a ride. They're happy to do that if you want to be stupid.
And talk with your family, and make sure they know you understand this whole "dependent" thing. If they are afraid you might claim yourself, then they might NOT claim you, which leads to the other stupid: neither of you claiming you.
Mom is wrong. You can file your own tax return if you had income. The only question is who gets to claim the personal exemption for you - you on your own return or mom on her return. Even if mom is entitled to claim you, that does NOT mean that you "can't file your own return." You can also still file your 2013 return (the one that should have been filed last year). You'll just have to mail in a hardcopy on that one since the e-filing deadline has lapsed.
Regardless of if someone can claim you,you still need to file your taxes. This is especially the case if you are due any refund. The filing status is different if she does claim you as a dependant but that should not stop you from filing.
you mother is totally incorrect.. even if she claimed you, you still file for yourself - and the first $6000 in 2013 was tax free to you. it would have been almost $10,000 tax free if she didn't claim you - you still get the standard deduction even without the personal exemption - tell Mom she doesn't know what she's talking about
If you made under $6000 last year you can file and your Mom can take the deduction. You will still get your money back and taking yourself as a dependent will not get you more. If you let your Mom take you if she made more she will get ore back. Tell her to split the extra she got by taking you. By the way if you live with your Mom she may be providing more than 50% of your living expense. It depends on how much you make.
She can only claim you if you make under certain amounts. If you make over a certain amount, you are legally required to file a return if you owe money. If you are entitled to a refund then you don't but you are basically giving your refund to the government. Not smart either way.
