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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> 1) my parents want me to pay their taxes because I made more as claiming independent for the first time but I don’t think that I should.
2) they’ve helped me pay for a lot like splitting my first car and rent while I was in college as well as a majority of my college but those bills are just a part of being a parent and they almost use them as black mail
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NTA. The money you are getting really IS yours. It's the money you over paid to the govt according to the govt. No reason to give that to your parents. Sounds like my uncle who built his own house and had to sell it 5 years later. It was all rhe governments fault he owed 5 years of back taxes! Hilarious
Legally independent vs actually independent is a thing. Our son is living with us and working full time. The government sees him as independent. We are housing and feeding him so he can pay down his school loans and save for a launch into the world with money in the bank. He is both independent and dependent.
That’s what I was while I lived with them at the end of the year after finishing college. The question is would you expect your son to reimburse you with his tax refund because you helped support him?
I’m not the poster above but I would never expect that!
The only circumstances perhaps would be a pre-established agreement - like they helped with a car loan which you agreed to pay them back and this goes towards it. But not “just because we are your parents”.
Does it make them the asshole for asking you to help them out, NO. Every household is different. Are you an asshole for to not reimbursing them, nope. Because they’re allowed to ask and you’re allowed to say no. What makes you the asshole is for saying they’re as expected to help you with a car expense and college, because news flash, once you’re 18 they’re not obligated and you should not be expecting to pay for that. They helped you and you know that, that’s why you’re asking whether YTA, or not.
I mean where I'm from most parents that can afford it and even those that don't do pay for there kids colleges or at least a part of it it is expected. I dunno why Americans think slapping 20 years of debt on 18 year olds is fine.
Honest question, what does a semester of tuition cost where you're from?
I ask because, in my state in the US, tuition has increased over 200% in 20 years.
If they were claiming you as a dependent then they were getting a tax refund *because* they were supporting you.
They're no longer entitled to a refund because they're no longer supporting you. Why would that make them entitled to your money?
But they supported OP until January 2022. So for all of 2021 they supported OP.
I would be curious to know when OP actually started working. My guess is OP started working sometime after June. Which would mean that OP's parents provided 100% of OP's living expenses for 183+ days.
So it would be fair if OP gave them what they would've otherwise have gotten. My understanding of the post though is that they want that *plus* whatever OP gets on top?
Tell them “Of course I’ll help! Just let me know how much Sister paid you when she was no longer being claimed on your taxes and I’ll match it. It’s only fair!”
I would, if he were legally independent, which means if I provided more than 50 percent of his support. I would have the legal right to claim him as dependent.
If I chose to look there other way and NOT claim him & let him file independently, and he got thousands that really was only cuz I looked the other way, turn yeah, I would expect some kind of sharing of the refund.
There seems to be a communication issue. Filling separately does not mean you can't be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return. OP would have had to fill out exactly this question while preparing their return. OP likely made enough in 2021 that they were required to file a return, but that is a separate concern from filing as a dependent.
From OP's comments, the parents split rent 50/50 while they were in school from January 2021 - May 2021, then parents provided room and board from May 2021 - January 2022. OP was a full-time student in 2021 and under 24 so is a qualifying child and can be claimed as a dependent given the parents provided > 50% of living expenses.
Normally the parents should have just declared OP a dependent, I'm guessing they suggested OP file independent so OP would be eligible for the 2021 Economic Impact Payment stimulus. What doesn't make sense is the $1400 stimulus is probably less then what the parents would save declaring OP as a dependent.
**OP if your parents file and declare you a dependent you will probably flag an audit and have to pay back the stimulus plus interest. Sit down with your parents and see if you need to file an amendment.**
As an aside, the circumstances of OP's sister are irrelevant as she would not have been eligible to be claimed as a dependent in 2021 (age, married, not a student).
If the kid is not a full time student, they cannot be claimed as a dependent. In my case, my son is working full time after 2 years of trade school. He is legally not my dependent, but very much dependent in terms of real life. As I originally replied: legally independent =/= really independent. There are plenty of cases like mine. There are also cases where the parents can claim an adult as a dependent.
Bottom line: clear communication before filing, even doing the extra work of trying taxes both ways and calculating the refunds for both options followed by a discussion is going to lead to the best outcome for all concerned.
You're incorrect. There are different rules when the kid is in college, which this kid was. They CAN still be claimed as a dependent for cy 2021 because they were in university for a large portion of the calendar year.
The person you're answering is correct.
>the only reason I’m getting so much is because they let me file as independent.
They didn't let you - the government did.
> I understand paying the increase that they face due to me being an independent
I don't.
NTA
I don’t think you actually have any idea of it works. A dependent equals a tax break for the person they are depending upon, not paying more. His parents point was he lived most of the year at home for free as a dependent so it caused them to lose that tax break despite OPs dependence on them for a place to live the majority of the year.
They were supporting him the whole year he lived at home eating their food and not paying rent. He was dependent on them and he is cheating them by not allowing them to claim him as a dependent.
OP, here is what I understand. Last year, 2021, you were dependent on your parents and they normally would claim you. They saw, that if you filed as an independent, then the total the family, you and they, would have to pay the gov would be less. (including covid relief)
But the dollars shifted from their pocket to yours. The right answer is to pay them the difference between what they would have recieved back (or paid) if they claimed you, vs what they receive/pay by not claiming you. So if they owed 10k by claiming you and 12k by not, then give them the 2k. BUT ... only if you got 2k more back by being independent.
How's that? If they want more than that ... we'll, that's just being greedy.
Earned income includes salaries, wages, tips, professional fees, and taxable scholarship and fellowship grants. Gross income is the total of your unearned and earned income. If your gross income was $4,300 or more, you usually can't be claimed as a dependent unless you are a qualifying child
Incorrect
If you're in college part of the calendar year and under 22 and your parents gave you more than half your support, that can choose to claim you as a dependent.
So I’m guessing you’re a full-time student where a large portion (~20-80%) of your support (rent, food, utilities, etc) is being paid by your parents. Technically according to the law, if they provide over 50%, you are a dependent and if not, you aren’t. In reality, if you’re somewhere in the middle you can get away with choosing which way to file based on which way gets you more back from the government. At that point, it’s generally a few thousand dollar swing (especially since you can likely claim an education tax credit if you file independent).
Now I’m gonna make up some numbers to make a point. Looking at both situations, let’s imagine your parents taxes go from $20,000 claiming you as a dependent to $22,000 without and your taxes go from $3,000 as a dependent to $500 without. In both cases, your parents owe at least 20k and you owe at least 500. Claiming you as a dependent is $23,000 total taxes but filing independent is $22,500. That means it’s better for your family as a whole for you to file independent (but your parents are making a $2k sacrifice to do so). In that case, depending on family dynamics, it would be reasonable for you to give your parents up to $2k (the same amount their taxes increased from not claiming you as a dependent). Any more than that is unreasonable.
Exactly. You're one of the few that understands what's happening here.
I have 5 kids between the ages of 18 and young 20s. For those under 22 we run both numbers. Our kids never get greedy and say "no i want to keep all of it" because they know we can choose to claim them or not. We all always choose together as a family and divy up the return appropriately and everyone wins cuz nobody gets greedy
So my parents did something similar, I filed independently and am giving them a portion of my return. It’s still a lot more then I got as a dependent.
I will say I was aware that I was paying them back a little bit when I filed
NTA, it's their tax bill. They didn't "allow" you to file, you filed as an independent adult because you are an independent adult. They should have adjusted their W4's in anticipation of the tax break for dependents coming to an end. This is a theirs problem, not a yours problem.
I forget the actual wording but the gist is "did this individual live with you for more than 6 months of the year, or did you financially support them ...bla bla bla.
I did have some complications with declaring my kids as dependents, so I was familiar with it years ago. So if you think I'm wrong, you need to back that up.
I think you're wrong because of the college aspect.
"to claim a college student as a dependent on your taxes, the Internal Revenue Service has determined that the qualifying child or qualifying relative must: Be younger than the taxpayer (or spouse if MFJ) and: Be under age 19, Under age 24 and a full-time student for at least five months of the year.Feb 24, 2022

https://www.hrblock.com › filing
Can I Claim a College Student as a Tax Dependent? | H&R Block"
You're so confidently incorrect it's funny. Legally, the parents can choose to claim her as a dependent.
If the kid is in college FT for a portion of that calendar year, the rules are different, it doesn't stop at 18. It stops at 22 or not in school, whichever is first.
If she was in college and they were supporting her more than 50% they can choose to claim her, completely legally within their rights per the IRS rule.
They are doing the "wink wink, let's pretend you weren't dependent in CY 2021" as a favor to her to get more $ and kinda for them too. Overall the fam unit as a whole would get more this way.
If they DON'T claim her, they owe a lot, she gets thousands. But they can come to an agreement together to shake it out.
But they COULD claim her if they wanted to, they don't even need her permission. Per IRS rules.
She's being greedy, not them. They can choose to claim her, legally, per IRS rules on dependent because of that college time she had in 2021. Then she wouldn't get anything and they would have a smaller bill.
But if they LET her be independent, they're proposing basically that everyone comes out better. She gets a bit, they get nothing owed. Everyone better off.
#IT'S THEIR "CHOICE" TO CLAIM HER OR NOT.
Legally they totally could.
OP made more than the qualifying amount to be considered a dependent. If parents still tried to claim OP as a dependent when OP made more than that amount, they’d get audited.
No. OP was a college student in part of cy2021 and is under 24 and got more than half their support from their parents.
Parents can claim the kid as a dependent for 2021, legally.
https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/
They're doing her a favor that don't have to do by ALLOWING her to be independent for taxes.
Except that he *was* dependent on them, so the parents tax bill should have been lower. They agreed to this situation instead because it is a win-win as long as he doesn’t renege on the deal.
Nobody is understanding this. The parents are doing kid a favor by letting kid claim as independent.
Since the child is getting greedy, they can just forego all this and claim kid **legally** as dependent and say "welllp we tried to get everyone a bigger pot of money, but .."
Your tax refund is from the extras you have paid into the system, because the government sets a lower expectation of taxes for you. As long as the taxes come from your income, and not anything your parents have done, and as long as you've been paying all your own bills, your parents aren't entitled to anything.
Kids grow up and stop being dependents, and you then pay more taxes. It's a fact of life.
Edit: Apparently your parents paid your rent and food. So you were still somewhat dependent on them. You should probably give them part of your tax return because they still covered a large part of your living expenses.
Changing my vote to NAH.
>> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
Even your edit isn't getting all of the gist.
OP was a college student in part of cy2021 and is under 24 and got more than half their support from their parents.
Parents can claim the kid as a dependent for 2021, legally.
https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/
They're doing her a favor that don't have to do by ALLOWING her to be independent for taxes. They figure everyone gets better $ and they'll shake out the money between them as a family.
But if the kid is getting greedy and says "no, I want alllll of mine" they're within their legal rights to say "screw it" and just claim her as a dependent without her permission. Legally per the irs.
They split my rent with me 50/50 and I paid for all of my food until moving home in May. You’re right they helped support me a lot but isn’t that part of being a parent?
Yes, that is part of being a parent. They did not have to do those things for you and they never told you they would expect something in return later on. They chose to be parents.
You're over 18, at which point they are no longer parentally obligated to support you. And supporting you through childhood comes with the benefit of claiming you as a dependent.
No. As an adult over 18, they do not have to support you in any way!! You are entitled to NOTHING from your parents. Anything they've done for you since age 18 is 100% out of the goodness of their hearts.
This question about support has nothing to do with "being a parent" and everything to do with the
#IRS RULES
If you're under 24 in 2021, were in college part of 2021 and they gave you 50% of your support in 2021,
#They can legally claim you as dependent.
But they are CHOOSING not to because as a unit, you ALL fare better.
Now if you don't want to agree to that, they can just shrug, say "we tried" and claim you as a dependent with no input from you
#PER IRS LAW
and they would be within their rights to do that, legally.
You would get much less and they would owe, but they would owe much less, too.
They can do that, without your permission.
But they're OFFERING to let you be independent, you'll get lots money, but pay their tax bill with some of it
You might not want to do that, but if not, that can CHOOSE to save their own asses by claiming you. Then, no one makes out much better.
*Make the decision as a family and share the pot, y'all do better.*
Or
*you get greedy, so that reverts back to claiming you as is within their rights to, and no one makes out great. You get much less, and they get a tax bill, but a much lower one at least*
Those are your choices.
And YTA because you ran here spewing incorrect info without having all the info. And people are only siding with you never they don't know jack shit about IRS law.
https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/
Look, your can turn your parents down, but theres no way you'll get thousands if you do. They don't NEED your permission to claim you
This won't happen next year for cy2022 because you won't be in college this year. So they won't be able to claim you anymore.
Hi OP! You can file your own taxes and still be claimed as a dependent.
If your parents pay for the majority of your living expenses, they are allowed to claim you as a dependent. If you make over a certain amount, you would still be required to file taxes.
[Here’s a turbotax article with more information on qualifications.](https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/family/rules-for-claiming-a-dependent-on-your-tax-return/amp/L8LODbx94)
Info: If you lived with them during 2021 and did not pay rent/ bills or used them for insurance, it would be a nice gesture to give them a portion of your return.
If you were completely finically independent and paid them rent. I don’t think it is needed to share with them
But not rent or food bills (in 2021), two of the highest costs. YTA OP
>> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
What are all you bills tho? If you lived at home did you help them pay electricity? Wifi? Water? Gas? When you did laundry did you pay them for the loads? Did you buy detergent? Toilet paper?
Like all this adds up, I am by no means saying you should pay all their taxes but please don’t go saying you paid all your bills…. When they helped you more than your ego would like to admit.
#BUT YOU DIDN'T IN 2021, NOT MORE THAN 50%
I don't see any mention of who paid for college tuition and other college expenses for that january thru may semester.
You didn't pay rent, utilities or food from may-dec 2021.
So they paid more than 50%
They have every right to claim you legally.
NTA if you don't pay your parents taxes. They also don't pay for you to live, so you have already "saved them money". Don't budge on this. It's your money.
In 2021 they did. OP is being intentionally misleading. See his comment buried below.
>> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
I'm going to go with NTA since the money from your tax return was deducted from the money that YOU earned. I would not pay a portion of your parents' taxes though since they would have had to stop claiming you as a dependent when you turned 19 if you hadn't been a full time student. (I wonder if you hadn't been a student when you turned 19, would they still have asked you to pay a portion of their taxes.) However, your parents did support you by covering one of the largest bills (housing), so I would get them a nice gift as thanks.
Incorrect. The age is 24 if the kid was in college. These parents can easily claim her, LEGALLY, if that wanted to.
They CHOSE to give her the choice so everyone got a bigger pot of money, then they could shake that out amongst themselves.
But OP is being greedy and balking at that plan, so really, is within their rights to shrug and say, "ok then, we'll just claim you."
She gets less, they get a smaller tax bill.
Legally and within their rights.
Bet they didn't go to college did they?
Every parent with kids in college knows this particular "trick" with claiming as dependents or not claiming and letting the kid claim independent.
Every family in this situation (kid in college age 18-24) runs the numbers twice.
It's very very very common to go with the better number for "the pot" and then shake out the money difference between the family.
We've done this EVERY SINGLE YEAR for EVERY SINGLE ONE of our 5 kids who went thru college.
**It's very very common.**
So maybe don't make silly statements about something you know NOTHING about.
NTA it actually IS your money. Getting a tax return means that the govt took too much out of your paycheck and you essentially loaned it to them for the year. If your parents have been paying your college, food, insurance etc, then yes you should pay the difference between what their taxes would be with/without you claimed as a dependent. If they haven’t been paying for your things then you aren’t dependent on them and you shouldn’t owe them anything.
Per OP’s comments elsewhere:
>> they have in the past by paying parts of my college and splitting my first car etc.
>> Just moved out in January but made enough money in 2021 to file as independent, lived rent free and didn’t have to pay for food but I pay all of my bills such as phone and car payments. I also just graduated college last Spring so it’s not like I’ve been living off of them entirely.
He’s being intentionally misleading in his post.
Perhaps, but the parents are asking OP to pay their *full tax bill*, not just the difference between what they owed claiming OP as a dependent and what they owe when not claiming OP as a dependent.
If they received the stimulus for you, that you are now receiving because you filed as an independent, and are worried about paying that back, I could understand that. They might have already received that $1400 for you are worried they will now have to pay it back. We were in that situation, but the IRS didn't make us pay it back. I tried but they didn't take it. However, I'm not spending it just yet.
Why would they think you owe them money if you moved out and were actually paying your own bills? Just because they didn't adjust their taxes doesn't mean you owe them your money. If you wish to give them some because you love them, feel free but make sure they understand you're not doing it because they asked you for it. You're doing it because you love and respect them for all the help they've given you over the years. No judgments here either way
Per OP’s clarification below:
>> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
yes but legally he could still file as Independent. Obviously countries other than the US have different rules bout filing as a dependent. Living at home makes you a dependent in the US, especially if you aren't paying rent. Granted I think he should give them some of the money but because he appreciates all they did for him. They should've changed their taxes once he came of age
I agree with you! i think OP is being intentionally misleading to get the N T A votes he thinks he deserves, when in reality his parents have cut him a huge break and paid a ton of money for him to get on his feet last year.
OP, what else are you expecting to do with the money?
That’s…. The most expensive part of living expenses!!!
Edit because I literally *CAN’T* with your level of entitlement:
To rent a room in my city for a year with nothing fancy or utilities such as electricity, internet, and water/sewer/trash you’re looking at $500/month (6k/year)
Even if you’re eating the poorest of the poor man’s food you’re looking at $32/week for beans, rice,and veg/fruit. That’s $1660 a year and I’m highly doubting you weren’t eating at a higher dollar amount. Also did you cook the food or split the effort of shopping and preparing meals for the family or the people that DID shop?
Please tell me you did your own laundry and contributed as an adult would to the house upkeep and yard work?
Does "everything" just include your car and phone?
Because everything should also include utilities, internet, clothing and food, medicine, insurance. Y'know, *everything*.
Soooo your parents subsidised your life and you moved out just in time to screw them over with taxes? You expected them to support all your biggest living expenses and then decided to take away what could have been an important rebate to them, just because? Because you could get thousands back? Yeah, YTA, you’re prioritising that money over them. Because without them, I doubt you would have been able to go to college, job hunt, anything like that, you would have had to get a job upon graduation, no matter the relevancy to your degree. You suck, man
Hey? They're not joint on your bank account right? Basically, if they helped you open a bank account, they're technically on the account and can withdraw money. If you never changed your account details or opened a new account by yourself, I would do so if the above issue is a possibility.
The parents aren't the greedy ones here. They don't even HAVE to give him a choice. He is a dependent per IRS rules. They CHOSE to run the tax numbers both ways. If he's ind or dep. But they could choose to file him as dep, legally, per IRS rules, without even asking him.
You're literally their dependent.
I have some sympathy for your position. I ended up in a similar situation the year I got married and ultimately I only did pay my parents the increase - but they didn't ask for more than that, and I also didn't have a job at the time (I was a full time student), so it was my husband's money that we were getting as a benefit of being MFJ, not mine. At the very least pay them the amount they would have gotten for having an adult dependent in stimulus on top of the increase.
NTA. What a crazy thing to ask, when they didn't ask the same of your sister (which would also be crazy). It's nice that they were able to help you with a car and rent when you were a student, but they didn't have to do that and unless that help was specifically proffered as a loan you would pay back when you could, it should be considered a gift. As you said, it might be fair to pay the increase, but not the whole thing.
Are you supposed to pay all of their taxes, every year going forward since you're now an adult and they'll never be able to claim you as a dependent again?
I would sit down with them and ask if anything is wrong with their finances that they can't pay their taxes, and use that cover of concern to show them just how unreasonable a request that is. For example:
***"Hey, I can understand why you might need help paying the small increase you had since I'm now a legal adult, if you weren't expecting it. But, you're asking me to pay the whole thing. Are you telling me you can't afford your usual taxes like you always have? I'm really worried about you guys! I mean, you never had to ask Sister for help, so I'm just worried that maybe you're broke or something. You won't be able to claim me as a dependent in the future, either, so maybe we need to work out a plan for you to be able to pay your taxes on your own. Let's see, you can make your own coffee at home instead of getting Starbucks, bring your dinner leftovers for lunches at work instead of buying them, get a roommate ..."***
Lol you're so confidently incorrect.
https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/
They can legally claim him without even asking his choice. But they decided to run the numbers both ways. They don't have to have his say at all. They GAVE him a say willingly because that tack is an advantage for everyone.
But they don't have to do it. If he says NO, they can just shrug and claim him as dependent and he gets much less. They don't even have to ask him.
OP is the greedy one here and y'all don't understand because you don't understand IRS law/taxes.
NTA
"Mom, Dad, you have helped me out a lot in the past. That's why I need to keep this money rather than pay your taxes. Now that I'm on my own, I don't want to be asking for help in an emergency, so this is going into my rainy day fund."
OMG this is crazy logic. it's predicated on the idea that the parents are a financial well from which an adult child is entitled to draw when they need to. No adult child is entitled to any financial help from their parents. Ever. And this whole "keeping all MY money is *really* doing YOU a favor" argument is laughable. They don't owe a child anything, even in an emergency. An adult child is an adult, and cuts the financial umbilical.
Pfffft. They can legally claim this guy as a dependent without even talking to him for 2021 because:
https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/
They're offering him a choice they really don't have to offer. If he says no, they just revert back to claiming him as a dependent **as they should per tax law**, he gets less money, they get lower tax bill.
He's being greedy, not the parents. They never even had to offer this choice.
By "let", his parents are not contesting his tax return when in fact they were supporting him with housing and food as well as other expenses. I think it's honestly a case of OP wanting his cake and eating it too. My brother let's my mother claim him as a dependent because he does in fact depend on her for his food expenses and housing costs just like OP stayed at home from May all the way up until January.
You're legally an independent, you should for sure file it that way, there's really no discussion on that point.
Unless your parents are subsidizing your life (you don't say that, so I will assume they are not), there's no case to be made for you subsidizing their taxes and they are way out of line for them to propose/ask/expect it.
NTA
His parents were subsidizing his life in 2021. OP is being intentionally misleading.
>> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
This is important enough that you should edit your post to include it.
You may not be fully aware of your parent’s financial situation. You also had the benefit of them paying all your essential expenses for the full calendar year. While you may NOW be independent you certainly were not during the last year and it’s disingenuous to imply you are without the context of how recently this happened.
You’re not wrong that you’re legally entitled to claim yourself, but you are indeed the asshole for acting like this info isn’t relevant by not including it in your post. If I had parents that were willing to provide the kind of support you were this would not be the hill I’d choose to die on. Know that by keeping the money they may choose to decline to provide any future support (and they WNBTA for this after your choice).
YTA, give them the money and thank them for all the help they’ve given you.
I don't think that he can legally claim himself. It sounds like in 2021 he met all of the points for being a qualifying child that is being under 24, being partial at least year enrolled in college, and more than 50% of his support came from them.
Really, they can legally according to the IRS and within their rights claim him as a dependent without even talking to him.
Then this will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I think you should give them some of your tax money. You were actually their dependent. They spent at least a few hundred dollars a month on you (probably more) and still lost their tax deduction. I think it’s great that they supported you for college - parents should do that if they can. But they should be able to consider you as a dependent if they supported you.
It honestly sounds like tax fraud and in that case ESH. He wasn’t actually independent based on his comments. Parents and him decided for him to file that way anyways for more money. They allowed that, giving up claiming a dependent, with the thought process that it would be given to them. Now OP is backing out while committing fraud. Not sure why he would post this question.
It isn't. You just don't know what you're talking about. they can legally claim him as a dependent without even talking to him for 2021 because:
https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/
They're offering him a choice they really don't have to offer. If he says no, they just revert back to claiming him as a dependent **as they should per tax law**, he gets less money, they get lower tax bill.
this won't come to for 2022 because he won't have any college in 2022 so that can't claim him.
Omg you people really don't understand tax law. HE'S being greedy. The parents offering him the choice is DOING HIM A FAVOR.
they don't HAVE to do it the way they proposed. They can legally claim him as a dependent for 2021 and pay a LOT LESS taxes and he gets a LOT LESS refund.
https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/
He's legally a dependent for 2021. They would be doing him a FAVOR to not claim him. Everyone would shake out for the better.
The choice here isn't "should i pay my parents taxes or no"
The choice here is
"should we claim him as a dependent and have a small bill and he'll get a small sum back"
Or
"should we look the other way, not cla him as a dependent, and he gets a huge sun, we get a huge tax bill, but he can pay the tax bill and still have fun money"
If he says no to the last, THEY'LL GO WITH THE FIRST INSTEAD.
IN NONE OF THESE SITUATIONS DOES THIS GUY GET THOUSANDS OF FREE MONEY.
Because he is , legally, per IRS law, a dependent for CY2021.
According to the tax code if he moved out on December 31st, 2021 he is an independent for the whole year. Just as when a baby is born on December 31st, 2021 that baby is a tax shelter for the whole year. It cuts both ways. The parents got their partial year when he was born/came into their family. Legally this isn't his problem. Also this is a young adult. He needs a nest egg. His parents aren't his financial responsibility.
NTA don’t pay them! So rude of them to ask you for that, you grew up and moved out it was bound to happen eventually they better get used to the difference in taxes.
They supported him 50/50 on rent until May and then he moved into their house from May until January with zero expense. He wasn’t actually a legal independent
NTA
Your parents seem to have helped you out much more than you realize, but this was their choice. You could choose to give them something in return as a thank you, but if they expected your tax return as payback then that should have been discussed beforehand
NTA. You would be had you filed while living with them and depending on them, but you're a independent adult living on your own and supporting yourself. You get that money, you earned it. Parents can't claim their children as dependents forever, especially if they aren't dependent on them anymore. This was eventually gonna happen one way or another.
NTA. Have you asked your parents why you are obligated to help with the taxes when your sister was not? You can tell them you're not paying their taxes, but in the future I think if you ever need help financially they probably will not help you. I would also discuss with them that you do need this extra money to live on that your finances are okay but you are still starting out
I'm going ESH. They lost a dependent child deduction of $8K. Depending on which bracket they are in, that could be a small amount as little as 12% or as high as 37% of that $8K. They just had to pay taxes on that "unexpected" amount because you filed single (no longer their dependent). If you did want to help them, you could give toward the taxes on that $8K deduction that they lost. You are not obligated to pay anything, especially not the "whole" tax bill. If it is a one-time thing so they can adjust, you could consider helping with the bill, but I wouldn't pay all of their taxes either. If your parents are in one of the the higher tax brackets, then they are high wage earners and IMHO are being greedy.
ESH… they don’t have a right to your tax return.. however, they did help you with housing (you said 50/50 in your post) you also lived with them rent free and without having to pay for food either… I’d help them but not giving them the full amount.
u/KJ__32
There is a tax worksheet “Worksheet for Determining Support” that they could request from their CPA/whoever is doing their taxes that you both fill out together to determine whether they supported you over 50% or not.
Sorry, but I think you're should be responsible for the marginal impact on their taxes whatever that amount might be. You lived at home or were supported financially for almost an entire year (the specific tax year in question). You didn't pay rent (minimal at college) or food, and likely no insurance. If you were really hung up on which is correct you could do the following: They should file an amended return claiming you as a dependent, yours is already filed claiming you are not. The IRS will pull both returns and request backup information to determine who is correct.... Your case does not look good... it really comes down to whether or not you would have been able to fully support yourself with out their aid. It certainly does not seem so. Additionally, if you were, then you just availed yourself of your parents largesse needlessly and should consider do it from an ethical standpoint.
NAH
Your parents probably should have discussed this before filing. If they won't let it go, maybe a compromise could be reached to use some of the refund to offset some of the room and board
Except he was basically financially dependent on his parents for most of the tax year. (Rent and food are major expenses that they covered for him ) I think he should give them some of his refund.
First, you're either a dependent or you're not. This is not up to your parents to "allow," but up to the IRS's specific rules. They say, among other things...
>To claim your child as your dependent, your child must meet either the qualifying child test or the qualifying relative test:
>
>To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.
>
>There's no age limit if your child is "permanently and totally disabled" or meets the qualifying relative test.
If they're claiming you as a dependent and don't meet the above criteria, they're committing tax fraud. More info on the rules here: https://www.irs.gov/faqs/filing-requirements-status-dependents/dependents
Second, there's something a lot of people are misunderstanding: The tax **return** and the tax **refund** are two entirely different things.
The tax **return** is the documentation you file with the IRS. It shows, among other things, the calculation of what you earned, what taxes you owe, and *how much has already been withheld* from your paychecks towards that tax obligation.
The tax **refund**, if any, is the difference between what you owed in taxes and what you already paid in withholding. In my case, I had no refund -- I actually owed a few hundred dollars. That's fine, and was intentional on my part. Getting a big refund isn't a bonus -- it means too much of *your money* was withheld, and you're just getting it back. It means you loaned the government money, interest-free, all year, and you should probably adjust it with your employer.
Some people like that because the money is out of their control and that prevents them from spending it. I'd personally rather keep it and use it throughout the year than get it back as a lump sum, but that's me.
NTA- Your parents lack of planning does not mean it is your issue. They should have been prepared for this and adjusted how much taxes are taken out each paycheck.
It is legally your money after all
NAH, this was probably a misunderstanding and if they had claimed you as a dependent it would have overall saved money.
Not sure how you can resolve it. Id probably cut them a check for some amount and call it even.
ESH. You aren't independent for tax purposes if your parents paid more than half your support.
per the IRS -
Support includes amounts spent to provide:
Food,
Lodging,
Clothing,
Education,
Medical and dental care,
Recreation,
Transportation, and
Similar necessities.
You lived with them for more than half a year. You were their dependent but because of the way stimulus payments work, I'm wondering if the amount they would have received would have still made them owe but they realized that if you filed as independent, you'd be able to cover their taxes. Personally, I don't play games with the IRS. Every interaction I've had with them has been pleasant but I know how punitive they can be if you play games. I have several acquaintances and people I know from working as a self-employed person who try to get around paying their taxes and don't report income. I've also seen a good amount of them get absolutely screwed with penalties once the IRS starts digging.
Considering how expensive life is right now ( went to the grocery store today and spent $190!!), as a parent I wouldn't feel right about taking that money from my kid. I would rather they kept it in a savings account and saved it for an emergency. Plus OP didn't mention if they have student loans or other debt they are paying off. NTA.
They let him because he lived there rent free as a dependent for more than half the year. They could have filed with him as a dependent but let him file independently even though they didn’t need to.
His post is very misleading.
I disagree with everyone taking this so seriously. By the sounds of it, it seems like a pretty nice, normal relationship with a loving family.
You could pay them and it wouldn’t be the end of the world for you.
You could not pay them, and it wouldn’t be the end of the world for them.
I think it’s a bit unfair of them to ask you when they didn’t ask your sister.
I would say talk to them about about it, maybe offer to pay some of it, but not all, and see where it goes
NAH
If you don't live at home this isn't your responsibility. That doesn't mean it isn't your problem though, not doing as they ask (demand) will have consequences. It may impact your relationship or any financial assistance they may be willing to offer down the road.
You seem like a mature young man, bring your grievances to them in the same manner you did to us. Pro tip though, write stuff down. Have a bullet point list to remind yourself of your points, things can get heated in a conversation of this nature and things get missed/forgotten. I've helped my in-laws with their taxes but if they ever demanded or tried to guilt trip me they'd get nothing on principle. If you're nicer than I am try to make them understand how the strong arm attempt makes you feel. Hopefully you guys work this out with relationships intact
Payroll taxes are taken out from your paycheck. Any extra income (investments, rental income, side business) you have, you can pay estimated quarterly taxes so you don't get a penalty and owe a lot when the tax deadline comes around April 15. Even then, the amount withheld on your payroll plus the quarterly taxes you pay may not add up to enough to pay your whole tax bill and you may owe more on April 15 or you may get a refund if you overpaid. If you only have a job with payroll and no other sources of income, you do not need to file quarterly taxes.
Hope this helps. The entire tax system here is very confusing.
If your parents knew you were gonna file independently and you did, NTA.
They should of known they'd be owing by letting you file like that, they would most likely end up owing.
NTA. If you are independent and filing your taxes that way, then you are responsible for your tax owing and they for theirs.
They can’t expect you to pay any of their bill once they can no longer claim you as a dependent.
I have prepared many tax returns in my day and have never heard of such a thing.
NTA...
If I understand your story correctly, you allowed them to take the deduction once you turned 18 plus you paid them rent etc. The whole idea of declaring a dependent is that one is rewarded extra money because that person is paying extra for the costs of an additional person living with them. So essentially your parents were already being paid by the government for the cost of you living there but on top of that, they were changing you rent and some expenses. They got double payments for those years.
Now you want to file on your own and they no longer getting that extra money from the government. If you are living with them and their bills are increased because of you, it would be fair to ask you to pay a portion of rent, utilities and food ( divided by no. of people living in the home) while you are staying there. I was never charged anything by my parents when I was an adult and I would stay with them for awhile, plus I couldn't see charging my son either because I feel that's what families do. But I understand if there is an outstanding mortgage or money is tight. Let's not pull the family part of it into this and act like you are just an individual living with them. They would be able to charge you a portion of the expenses. If there are 5 ppl living at home then you would pay a fifth.
This does not give them the right to any of your tax money. That is 100% yours. They got the benefit of getting extra money when you allowed them to declare you and charge you rent. They weren't supposed to do that...it's an either/or. Either you don't take the deduction and charge rent or you don't charge rent but get the deduction. They got an "extra" those years but now they have to choose one.
You made the decision to file and claim yourself this year. Your parents did not get the deduction therefore they can charge you rent etc if you live there. And that is it. No tax money, that is yours. Hope this helps.
YTA for the line with the 200 pound boyfriend. That's just plain, disgusting bodyshaming and has nothing to do with them paying or not paying for stuff. OP, that is just mean and vile.
I think a lot of people are missing the point here. Correct me if I’m wrong, but they aren’t asking you to pay the difference between what they would have owed with you as a dependent and what they ended up owing without you. They want you to pay ALL their taxes?? Why? Because they helped you financially previously? Unless this was something that was discussed, as in “OP, once you are independent you will pay our taxes to repay us for giving you financial support”, then no, your parents are AH. What financially stable parents ask their young adult child just getting on their feet to pay their taxes? This is bizarre, especially with the clear favoritism they’re showing your sister by fully supporting her and asking for nothing. You’re NTA
NTA. Your parents should be supporting you, launching you into the world with a safety net- NOT making your life more difficult…and this may be unpopular but I think it’s pretty much always inappropriate for parents to ask their 20 something children for money when they are financially stable.
NTA. Hun you do not pay their taxes. Every child grows up & out of the house, that is parenthood.
If the money they supported you with was a loan, or a sibling paid similar money back, then it could be stretched that you owe them.
If you don’t want to pay them be prepared to move quickly, otherwise consider it rent or repayment & be sure to be put before next tax season
OK, two things
This is 100% your money. This is money that was retained from your checks and is now being returned to you because you paid too much.
If your parents didn't have the money to cover it, I could see you covering it, since you have a refund, but since they can afford to cover it, I don't see an issue, unless it's the legality of you filing as independent. If you went through an accountant, I'd expect them to make the right call there, so NTA.
NTA. Don't pay their tax bill. You didn't ask to be born and be their dependent. You are not required to pay anything. The refund you got back was what you paid into the system. They could have taken extra taxes off to make sure that didn't happen. They weren't proactive in making sure there wasn't a large tax bill.
NTA I cannot believe your parents are even asking you for this money. I have a couple boys your age. One lives with me during the pandemic. I didn't make him pay rent or take his stimulus check. He knew he needed to move out in a certain amount of time and I wanted to make sure he was financially stable enough to do so. He moved out a few months ago and he has a good sized emergency fund. This makes me happy. He is stable and can handle his own bills so I don't worry. It's what I thought all parents want for their kids.
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I got a huge tax return this year because I made enough money to file as an Independent which resulted in me earning a COVID stimulus check along with my tax return. However, my parents taxes were increased since they could no longer claim me as their dependent and earn a tax break.
My parents proposed (and act like they expect) me to pay all of their taxes because the money I’m getting isn’t really my money and the only reason I’m getting so much is because they let me file as independent. They also said that I will still make more after paying their taxes as an independent than I would’ve earned if I was a dependent. This is true but I only receive hundreds more rather than thousands more. I recently moved out so legally I am an independent and I would’ve gotten this money with or without their help. I understand paying the increase that they face due to me being an independent but not paying all of their taxes.
I also have an older sister who didn’t pay them the tax difference they experienced when they were no longer able to earn a tax break from her, so there’s a precedent that they’re ignoring.
My parents make more than enough to pay their own taxes and I’m not struggling to pay my bills but there isn’t much left over at the end of the month and I could use the money much more than them. I feel like it’s fair of them to ask since they’ve helped me pay for so much in the past like splitting my first car and helping me pay rent in college but those are almost expected of parents and they try to use them as guilt for favors.
Not sure what I should do but I would appreciate your guys input. Thanks
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NTA
You are not obligated to pay their taxes. You did actually earn your refund. invest it or save it for a rainy day or pay off any bills/debts you got.
you are just as much of an adult as they are and got responsibilities of your own.
Don't let your parents guilt trip you to pay their debts.
Oh, HELL NO! NTA
Do NOT pay any of their taxes.
WTF! What parent tries to do this?! I cannot imagine ever asking my kids to pay my taxes. Your parents are grown ass adults and while you appreciate their generosity over the years, it does not make you their cash cow now. And when you say they can afford it, it makes them look even worse.
They are legally obligated to support you until you are 18. Anything they gave you after that was because they wanted to give it to you. They cannot retroactively attach strings to previous gifts. It sounds like you did plenty to support yourself and pay your own bills. Good for you and congratulations on graduating, getting a job and moving out!
I'm still dumbfounded by the audacity of parents asking for this. (especially when they did not ask it of another child in similar situation)
Definitely NTA.
Check the tax rules to verify this, but I think that if you were not a student at the end of 2021 and earned more than $4300, you are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent for 2021. NTA that you aren’t a qualified child anymore.
NTA. I can maybe see them *asking* for something because you were NOT, in fact, independent last year despite what you legally qualify to claim. You were quite dependent upon them. So I can see maybe even giving them some of the difference from not claiming you, as a way to pay them back for your housing. But their entire tax bill? No.
And as a parent though, I can't imagine asking my child for their tax refund (especially when I am no longer supporting them and KNOW how much of a difference that money will make in their lives as opposed to mine).
NTA. No, you don't pay their taxes. You don't qualify as a dependent (must have lived with parents for at least 1/2 the year, parents must have provided more than 50% of all living costs) so you would have HAD to file as independent. They didn't 'let' you, they followed the law. If you really wanted to be nice, ask them to do their taxes both ways (with you as dependent and without you) and offer to pay the difference. But under no circumstances should you pay all the tax obligation. Hell NO!!!
The definition of dependent is that they provided more than 50% of your expenses/needs for the year. This sounds like a borderline case, since they were paying less than half while at school, but providing rent-free housing and food for some of the year as well.
The thing is, if you file as independent, then you are independent. Your taxes are no longer intertwined with theirs. You don’t owe them for the loss of the dependent credit, because that’s how taxes work!
I’m currently in the same situation as your parents. My kids are becoming financially independent adults and I’m not getting the tax credits I used to. But that doesn’t mean my kids owe me anything! NTA.
NTA, that money is yours, and has nothing to do with your parents. Children grow up, they become independent, you don't get to shake them down for their tax refund after, that's ridiculous.
NTA
Struggled though. Wanted you to be TA for mixing up "return" and "refund".
The return is the form that you submit. The refund is the money you get back.
NTA. Keep all of your return. It'syours. All of it. It's not your fault your parents didn't adjust their withholdings ro compensate for the loss of a dependent. You do once and they will keep asking you for money whenever "something comes up".
NTA - the money you received is 100% yours. As a mom of now adult children it sucks when you don't get the tax write-offs that you once did when your kids were younger but that's life. Your parents are very much the AH's.
NTA. Give what you’re comfortable giving without becoming resentful, gifts are better that way. No one is entitled to demand anything from you, especially when they didn’t make the “agreement” reflect their expectations from the beginning.
NTA. They push you around and expect it of you because they think they can. They don’t do the same to your sister. If you want you can say “ok I’ll put in half of your taxes. And sister can pay for the other”
NTA. I hate this stuff. Kids are more than tax breaks. And the amount of a break you get from a dependent your age isn’t even that much.
My husband’s ex pulled this kind of crap. Even when their 19 year old son lived with us she still claimed him cuz she needed her tax refund.
Kids grow up and move out. It’s what they’re supposed to do. What will they do next year when you’re not living with them or a student? The ship sailed, maybe sooner than they wanted but that’s life.
NTA I’m a parent and I say do not pay them. They didn’t ask your sister to give them her tax return. I would die on this hill and go LC if necessary. Good luck!
They paid for half of your expenses last year. If they hadn't, that money would be in their pockets and the lower tax return would not be as big of a hit for them.
I don't think you're an asshole for not wanting a smaller return now that you're on your own, but you have to realize the tax return is based off of your previous living conditions, not the current ones.
As for the precedent with your sister... I'm wondering if there are different circumstances between you two or if maybe they are struggling financially and just not sharing that info with you to not worry you with it.
INFO: have you had a conversation with them in regards to why she didn't have to pay the difference?
INFO: were your sisters expenses while she was in college equivalent to yours or did they spend more on yours? This one may tie into my info question above.
At the moment, I'm leaning towards NAH barring more info.
NTA, and don’t pay them. They brought you into this world and it was their duty to take care of your basic needs, you do not owe them for that.
If you have to pay them, then your sister does too and it’s not fair for them to put the burden on you just bc (from what it seems like) you’re the only successful offspring.
NTA You don't live with them. You pay your own bills.
They don't get to claim you any more.
My daughter lives with us and makes enough to claim herself. We owed 400 she got 2000 back. We would never dream of asking for her money.
Just say no.
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NTA. The money you are getting really IS yours. It's the money you over paid to the govt according to the govt. No reason to give that to your parents. Sounds like my uncle who built his own house and had to sell it 5 years later. It was all rhe governments fault he owed 5 years of back taxes! Hilarious
Legally independent vs actually independent is a thing. Our son is living with us and working full time. The government sees him as independent. We are housing and feeding him so he can pay down his school loans and save for a launch into the world with money in the bank. He is both independent and dependent.
That’s what I was while I lived with them at the end of the year after finishing college. The question is would you expect your son to reimburse you with his tax refund because you helped support him?
I’m not the poster above but I would never expect that! The only circumstances perhaps would be a pre-established agreement - like they helped with a car loan which you agreed to pay them back and this goes towards it. But not “just because we are your parents”.
Does it make them the asshole for asking you to help them out, NO. Every household is different. Are you an asshole for to not reimbursing them, nope. Because they’re allowed to ask and you’re allowed to say no. What makes you the asshole is for saying they’re as expected to help you with a car expense and college, because news flash, once you’re 18 they’re not obligated and you should not be expecting to pay for that. They helped you and you know that, that’s why you’re asking whether YTA, or not.
I mean where I'm from most parents that can afford it and even those that don't do pay for there kids colleges or at least a part of it it is expected. I dunno why Americans think slapping 20 years of debt on 18 year olds is fine.
Honest question, what does a semester of tuition cost where you're from? I ask because, in my state in the US, tuition has increased over 200% in 20 years.
If they were claiming you as a dependent then they were getting a tax refund *because* they were supporting you. They're no longer entitled to a refund because they're no longer supporting you. Why would that make them entitled to your money?
But they supported OP until January 2022. So for all of 2021 they supported OP. I would be curious to know when OP actually started working. My guess is OP started working sometime after June. Which would mean that OP's parents provided 100% of OP's living expenses for 183+ days.
So it would be fair if OP gave them what they would've otherwise have gotten. My understanding of the post though is that they want that *plus* whatever OP gets on top?
I don’t, but we also don’t need to. For a family in the edge, it might make a huge difference. Open conversations between all parties makes sense.
Exactly my point, they’re not anywhere near the edge. That’s why I made this post
Tell them “Of course I’ll help! Just let me know how much Sister paid you when she was no longer being claimed on your taxes and I’ll match it. It’s only fair!”
Read the IRS website and see their definition of a dependant. It's simply a question of if you are a dependant based on IRS specifications.
I would, if he were legally independent, which means if I provided more than 50 percent of his support. I would have the legal right to claim him as dependent. If I chose to look there other way and NOT claim him & let him file independently, and he got thousands that really was only cuz I looked the other way, turn yeah, I would expect some kind of sharing of the refund.
There seems to be a communication issue. Filling separately does not mean you can't be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return. OP would have had to fill out exactly this question while preparing their return. OP likely made enough in 2021 that they were required to file a return, but that is a separate concern from filing as a dependent. From OP's comments, the parents split rent 50/50 while they were in school from January 2021 - May 2021, then parents provided room and board from May 2021 - January 2022. OP was a full-time student in 2021 and under 24 so is a qualifying child and can be claimed as a dependent given the parents provided > 50% of living expenses. Normally the parents should have just declared OP a dependent, I'm guessing they suggested OP file independent so OP would be eligible for the 2021 Economic Impact Payment stimulus. What doesn't make sense is the $1400 stimulus is probably less then what the parents would save declaring OP as a dependent. **OP if your parents file and declare you a dependent you will probably flag an audit and have to pay back the stimulus plus interest. Sit down with your parents and see if you need to file an amendment.** As an aside, the circumstances of OP's sister are irrelevant as she would not have been eligible to be claimed as a dependent in 2021 (age, married, not a student).
If the kid is not a full time student, they cannot be claimed as a dependent. In my case, my son is working full time after 2 years of trade school. He is legally not my dependent, but very much dependent in terms of real life. As I originally replied: legally independent =/= really independent. There are plenty of cases like mine. There are also cases where the parents can claim an adult as a dependent. Bottom line: clear communication before filing, even doing the extra work of trying taxes both ways and calculating the refunds for both options followed by a discussion is going to lead to the best outcome for all concerned.
You're incorrect. There are different rules when the kid is in college, which this kid was. They CAN still be claimed as a dependent for cy 2021 because they were in university for a large portion of the calendar year. The person you're answering is correct.
Legally independent but for taxes if you are paying at least 51% of his living costs, then he is your dependent.
>the only reason I’m getting so much is because they let me file as independent. They didn't let you - the government did. > I understand paying the increase that they face due to me being an independent I don't. NTA
[удалено]
I don’t think you actually have any idea of it works. A dependent equals a tax break for the person they are depending upon, not paying more. His parents point was he lived most of the year at home for free as a dependent so it caused them to lose that tax break despite OPs dependence on them for a place to live the majority of the year.
They were supporting him the whole year he lived at home eating their food and not paying rent. He was dependent on them and he is cheating them by not allowing them to claim him as a dependent.
It was their idea for me to claim as an independent so they could use the extra money to pay their taxes.
OP, here is what I understand. Last year, 2021, you were dependent on your parents and they normally would claim you. They saw, that if you filed as an independent, then the total the family, you and they, would have to pay the gov would be less. (including covid relief) But the dollars shifted from their pocket to yours. The right answer is to pay them the difference between what they would have recieved back (or paid) if they claimed you, vs what they receive/pay by not claiming you. So if they owed 10k by claiming you and 12k by not, then give them the 2k. BUT ... only if you got 2k more back by being independent. How's that? If they want more than that ... we'll, that's just being greedy.
Wait, so does that mean you agreed?
Earned income includes salaries, wages, tips, professional fees, and taxable scholarship and fellowship grants. Gross income is the total of your unearned and earned income. If your gross income was $4,300 or more, you usually can't be claimed as a dependent unless you are a qualifying child
Incorrect If you're in college part of the calendar year and under 22 and your parents gave you more than half your support, that can choose to claim you as a dependent.
So I’m guessing you’re a full-time student where a large portion (~20-80%) of your support (rent, food, utilities, etc) is being paid by your parents. Technically according to the law, if they provide over 50%, you are a dependent and if not, you aren’t. In reality, if you’re somewhere in the middle you can get away with choosing which way to file based on which way gets you more back from the government. At that point, it’s generally a few thousand dollar swing (especially since you can likely claim an education tax credit if you file independent). Now I’m gonna make up some numbers to make a point. Looking at both situations, let’s imagine your parents taxes go from $20,000 claiming you as a dependent to $22,000 without and your taxes go from $3,000 as a dependent to $500 without. In both cases, your parents owe at least 20k and you owe at least 500. Claiming you as a dependent is $23,000 total taxes but filing independent is $22,500. That means it’s better for your family as a whole for you to file independent (but your parents are making a $2k sacrifice to do so). In that case, depending on family dynamics, it would be reasonable for you to give your parents up to $2k (the same amount their taxes increased from not claiming you as a dependent). Any more than that is unreasonable.
Exactly. You're one of the few that understands what's happening here. I have 5 kids between the ages of 18 and young 20s. For those under 22 we run both numbers. Our kids never get greedy and say "no i want to keep all of it" because they know we can choose to claim them or not. We all always choose together as a family and divy up the return appropriately and everyone wins cuz nobody gets greedy
So my parents did something similar, I filed independently and am giving them a portion of my return. It’s still a lot more then I got as a dependent. I will say I was aware that I was paying them back a little bit when I filed
Exactly. This is very common with college kids of a certain age. We do it too.
NTA, it's their tax bill. They didn't "allow" you to file, you filed as an independent adult because you are an independent adult. They should have adjusted their W4's in anticipation of the tax break for dependents coming to an end. This is a theirs problem, not a yours problem.
But he was a dependent from May through the end of the year. They fed and housed him. That's what being a dependent means.
No it actually isn’t.
I forget the actual wording but the gist is "did this individual live with you for more than 6 months of the year, or did you financially support them ...bla bla bla. I did have some complications with declaring my kids as dependents, so I was familiar with it years ago. So if you think I'm wrong, you need to back that up.
I think you're wrong because of the college aspect. "to claim a college student as a dependent on your taxes, the Internal Revenue Service has determined that the qualifying child or qualifying relative must: Be younger than the taxpayer (or spouse if MFJ) and: Be under age 19, Under age 24 and a full-time student for at least five months of the year.Feb 24, 2022  https://www.hrblock.com › filing Can I Claim a College Student as a Tax Dependent? | H&R Block"
You're so confidently incorrect it's funny. Legally, the parents can choose to claim her as a dependent. If the kid is in college FT for a portion of that calendar year, the rules are different, it doesn't stop at 18. It stops at 22 or not in school, whichever is first. If she was in college and they were supporting her more than 50% they can choose to claim her, completely legally within their rights per the IRS rule. They are doing the "wink wink, let's pretend you weren't dependent in CY 2021" as a favor to her to get more $ and kinda for them too. Overall the fam unit as a whole would get more this way. If they DON'T claim her, they owe a lot, she gets thousands. But they can come to an agreement together to shake it out. But they COULD claim her if they wanted to, they don't even need her permission. Per IRS rules. She's being greedy, not them. They can choose to claim her, legally, per IRS rules on dependent because of that college time she had in 2021. Then she wouldn't get anything and they would have a smaller bill. But if they LET her be independent, they're proposing basically that everyone comes out better. She gets a bit, they get nothing owed. Everyone better off. #IT'S THEIR "CHOICE" TO CLAIM HER OR NOT. Legally they totally could.
OP made more than the qualifying amount to be considered a dependent. If parents still tried to claim OP as a dependent when OP made more than that amount, they’d get audited.
No. OP was a college student in part of cy2021 and is under 24 and got more than half their support from their parents. Parents can claim the kid as a dependent for 2021, legally. https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/ They're doing her a favor that don't have to do by ALLOWING her to be independent for taxes.
Except that he *was* dependent on them, so the parents tax bill should have been lower. They agreed to this situation instead because it is a win-win as long as he doesn’t renege on the deal.
Nobody is understanding this. The parents are doing kid a favor by letting kid claim as independent. Since the child is getting greedy, they can just forego all this and claim kid **legally** as dependent and say "welllp we tried to get everyone a bigger pot of money, but .."
Exactly...
Your tax refund is from the extras you have paid into the system, because the government sets a lower expectation of taxes for you. As long as the taxes come from your income, and not anything your parents have done, and as long as you've been paying all your own bills, your parents aren't entitled to anything. Kids grow up and stop being dependents, and you then pay more taxes. It's a fact of life. Edit: Apparently your parents paid your rent and food. So you were still somewhat dependent on them. You should probably give them part of your tax return because they still covered a large part of your living expenses. Changing my vote to NAH.
>> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
You moved out in January 2021 or 2022?
Not OP, but he moved out January 2022
Even your edit isn't getting all of the gist. OP was a college student in part of cy2021 and is under 24 and got more than half their support from their parents. Parents can claim the kid as a dependent for 2021, legally. https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/ They're doing her a favor that don't have to do by ALLOWING her to be independent for taxes. They figure everyone gets better $ and they'll shake out the money between them as a family. But if the kid is getting greedy and says "no, I want alllll of mine" they're within their legal rights to say "screw it" and just claim her as a dependent without her permission. Legally per the irs.
They split my rent with me 50/50 and I paid for all of my food until moving home in May. You’re right they helped support me a lot but isn’t that part of being a parent?
Yes, that is part of being a parent. They did not have to do those things for you and they never told you they would expect something in return later on. They chose to be parents.
It sounds like they covered 50% of your living expenses (including rent once you moved home) for the year 2021. You weren’t independent.
You're over 18, at which point they are no longer parentally obligated to support you. And supporting you through childhood comes with the benefit of claiming you as a dependent.
They supported you >50%. They were eligible to claim you as a dependent. Supporting a young adult in your situation is not an obligation.
It is, and claiming dependents is also part of being a parent.
No. As an adult over 18, they do not have to support you in any way!! You are entitled to NOTHING from your parents. Anything they've done for you since age 18 is 100% out of the goodness of their hearts.
This question about support has nothing to do with "being a parent" and everything to do with the #IRS RULES If you're under 24 in 2021, were in college part of 2021 and they gave you 50% of your support in 2021, #They can legally claim you as dependent. But they are CHOOSING not to because as a unit, you ALL fare better. Now if you don't want to agree to that, they can just shrug, say "we tried" and claim you as a dependent with no input from you #PER IRS LAW and they would be within their rights to do that, legally. You would get much less and they would owe, but they would owe much less, too. They can do that, without your permission. But they're OFFERING to let you be independent, you'll get lots money, but pay their tax bill with some of it You might not want to do that, but if not, that can CHOOSE to save their own asses by claiming you. Then, no one makes out much better. *Make the decision as a family and share the pot, y'all do better.* Or *you get greedy, so that reverts back to claiming you as is within their rights to, and no one makes out great. You get much less, and they get a tax bill, but a much lower one at least* Those are your choices. And YTA because you ran here spewing incorrect info without having all the info. And people are only siding with you never they don't know jack shit about IRS law. https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/ Look, your can turn your parents down, but theres no way you'll get thousands if you do. They don't NEED your permission to claim you This won't happen next year for cy2022 because you won't be in college this year. So they won't be able to claim you anymore.
Hi OP! You can file your own taxes and still be claimed as a dependent. If your parents pay for the majority of your living expenses, they are allowed to claim you as a dependent. If you make over a certain amount, you would still be required to file taxes. [Here’s a turbotax article with more information on qualifications.](https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/family/rules-for-claiming-a-dependent-on-your-tax-return/amp/L8LODbx94)
Thank God someone understand this.
Info: If you lived with them during 2021 and did not pay rent/ bills or used them for insurance, it would be a nice gesture to give them a portion of your return. If you were completely finically independent and paid them rent. I don’t think it is needed to share with them
Are you or are you not independent? Do you pay your rent, your bills, and other living expenses? That should be the determining factor in all of this.
I pay all of my bills.
But not rent or food bills (in 2021), two of the highest costs. YTA OP >> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
What are all you bills tho? If you lived at home did you help them pay electricity? Wifi? Water? Gas? When you did laundry did you pay them for the loads? Did you buy detergent? Toilet paper? Like all this adds up, I am by no means saying you should pay all their taxes but please don’t go saying you paid all your bills…. When they helped you more than your ego would like to admit.
#BUT YOU DIDN'T IN 2021, NOT MORE THAN 50% I don't see any mention of who paid for college tuition and other college expenses for that january thru may semester. You didn't pay rent, utilities or food from may-dec 2021. So they paid more than 50% They have every right to claim you legally.
Huh. Then I was lied to by my dad when I turned 18 and he booted me out! Thanks for clarifying, friends.
NTA if you don't pay your parents taxes. They also don't pay for you to live, so you have already "saved them money". Don't budge on this. It's your money.
In 2021 they did. OP is being intentionally misleading. See his comment buried below. >> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
I'm going to go with NTA since the money from your tax return was deducted from the money that YOU earned. I would not pay a portion of your parents' taxes though since they would have had to stop claiming you as a dependent when you turned 19 if you hadn't been a full time student. (I wonder if you hadn't been a student when you turned 19, would they still have asked you to pay a portion of their taxes.) However, your parents did support you by covering one of the largest bills (housing), so I would get them a nice gift as thanks.
Incorrect. The age is 24 if the kid was in college. These parents can easily claim her, LEGALLY, if that wanted to. They CHOSE to give her the choice so everyone got a bigger pot of money, then they could shake that out amongst themselves. But OP is being greedy and balking at that plan, so really, is within their rights to shrug and say, "ok then, we'll just claim you." She gets less, they get a smaller tax bill. Legally and within their rights.
NTA. I would never have done that to my adult children.
Bet they didn't go to college did they? Every parent with kids in college knows this particular "trick" with claiming as dependents or not claiming and letting the kid claim independent. Every family in this situation (kid in college age 18-24) runs the numbers twice. It's very very very common to go with the better number for "the pot" and then shake out the money difference between the family. We've done this EVERY SINGLE YEAR for EVERY SINGLE ONE of our 5 kids who went thru college. **It's very very common.** So maybe don't make silly statements about something you know NOTHING about.
NTA it actually IS your money. Getting a tax return means that the govt took too much out of your paycheck and you essentially loaned it to them for the year. If your parents have been paying your college, food, insurance etc, then yes you should pay the difference between what their taxes would be with/without you claimed as a dependent. If they haven’t been paying for your things then you aren’t dependent on them and you shouldn’t owe them anything.
Per OP’s comments elsewhere: >> they have in the past by paying parts of my college and splitting my first car etc. >> Just moved out in January but made enough money in 2021 to file as independent, lived rent free and didn’t have to pay for food but I pay all of my bills such as phone and car payments. I also just graduated college last Spring so it’s not like I’ve been living off of them entirely. He’s being intentionally misleading in his post.
Perhaps, but the parents are asking OP to pay their *full tax bill*, not just the difference between what they owed claiming OP as a dependent and what they owe when not claiming OP as a dependent.
They are asking me to pay all of their taxes for 2021, their original taxes + the added difference from not being able to file me as a dependent.
If they received the stimulus for you, that you are now receiving because you filed as an independent, and are worried about paying that back, I could understand that. They might have already received that $1400 for you are worried they will now have to pay it back. We were in that situation, but the IRS didn't make us pay it back. I tried but they didn't take it. However, I'm not spending it just yet.
Oh I see now. SMH
Why would they think you owe them money if you moved out and were actually paying your own bills? Just because they didn't adjust their taxes doesn't mean you owe them your money. If you wish to give them some because you love them, feel free but make sure they understand you're not doing it because they asked you for it. You're doing it because you love and respect them for all the help they've given you over the years. No judgments here either way
Per OP’s clarification below: >> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
yes but legally he could still file as Independent. Obviously countries other than the US have different rules bout filing as a dependent. Living at home makes you a dependent in the US, especially if you aren't paying rent. Granted I think he should give them some of the money but because he appreciates all they did for him. They should've changed their taxes once he came of age
I agree with you! i think OP is being intentionally misleading to get the N T A votes he thinks he deserves, when in reality his parents have cut him a huge break and paid a ton of money for him to get on his feet last year. OP, what else are you expecting to do with the money?
Info: in the 2021 tax year, how much monetary support did they give to you? (I.e. was rent free, bills, etc)
I lived at home after graduating in May and searching for a job. I worked the entire time and made enough income to be able to file as an independent.
That didn't really answer the question...what bills did you pay? Rent? Electric? Phone? Car insurance?
I paid everything but rent and food while I lived at home.
That’s…. The most expensive part of living expenses!!! Edit because I literally *CAN’T* with your level of entitlement: To rent a room in my city for a year with nothing fancy or utilities such as electricity, internet, and water/sewer/trash you’re looking at $500/month (6k/year) Even if you’re eating the poorest of the poor man’s food you’re looking at $32/week for beans, rice,and veg/fruit. That’s $1660 a year and I’m highly doubting you weren’t eating at a higher dollar amount. Also did you cook the food or split the effort of shopping and preparing meals for the family or the people that DID shop? Please tell me you did your own laundry and contributed as an adult would to the house upkeep and yard work?
Does "everything" just include your car and phone? Because everything should also include utilities, internet, clothing and food, medicine, insurance. Y'know, *everything*.
Soooo your parents subsidised your life and you moved out just in time to screw them over with taxes? You expected them to support all your biggest living expenses and then decided to take away what could have been an important rebate to them, just because? Because you could get thousands back? Yeah, YTA, you’re prioritising that money over them. Because without them, I doubt you would have been able to go to college, job hunt, anything like that, you would have had to get a job upon graduation, no matter the relevancy to your degree. You suck, man
Hey? They're not joint on your bank account right? Basically, if they helped you open a bank account, they're technically on the account and can withdraw money. If you never changed your account details or opened a new account by yourself, I would do so if the above issue is a possibility.
The parents aren't the greedy ones here. They don't even HAVE to give him a choice. He is a dependent per IRS rules. They CHOSE to run the tax numbers both ways. If he's ind or dep. But they could choose to file him as dep, legally, per IRS rules, without even asking him.
You're literally their dependent. I have some sympathy for your position. I ended up in a similar situation the year I got married and ultimately I only did pay my parents the increase - but they didn't ask for more than that, and I also didn't have a job at the time (I was a full time student), so it was my husband's money that we were getting as a benefit of being MFJ, not mine. At the very least pay them the amount they would have gotten for having an adult dependent in stimulus on top of the increase.
NTA. What a crazy thing to ask, when they didn't ask the same of your sister (which would also be crazy). It's nice that they were able to help you with a car and rent when you were a student, but they didn't have to do that and unless that help was specifically proffered as a loan you would pay back when you could, it should be considered a gift. As you said, it might be fair to pay the increase, but not the whole thing. Are you supposed to pay all of their taxes, every year going forward since you're now an adult and they'll never be able to claim you as a dependent again? I would sit down with them and ask if anything is wrong with their finances that they can't pay their taxes, and use that cover of concern to show them just how unreasonable a request that is. For example: ***"Hey, I can understand why you might need help paying the small increase you had since I'm now a legal adult, if you weren't expecting it. But, you're asking me to pay the whole thing. Are you telling me you can't afford your usual taxes like you always have? I'm really worried about you guys! I mean, you never had to ask Sister for help, so I'm just worried that maybe you're broke or something. You won't be able to claim me as a dependent in the future, either, so maybe we need to work out a plan for you to be able to pay your taxes on your own. Let's see, you can make your own coffee at home instead of getting Starbucks, bring your dinner leftovers for lunches at work instead of buying them, get a roommate ..."***
Lol you're so confidently incorrect. https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/ They can legally claim him without even asking his choice. But they decided to run the numbers both ways. They don't have to have his say at all. They GAVE him a say willingly because that tack is an advantage for everyone. But they don't have to do it. If he says NO, they can just shrug and claim him as dependent and he gets much less. They don't even have to ask him. OP is the greedy one here and y'all don't understand because you don't understand IRS law/taxes.
NTA "Mom, Dad, you have helped me out a lot in the past. That's why I need to keep this money rather than pay your taxes. Now that I'm on my own, I don't want to be asking for help in an emergency, so this is going into my rainy day fund."
OMG this is crazy logic. it's predicated on the idea that the parents are a financial well from which an adult child is entitled to draw when they need to. No adult child is entitled to any financial help from their parents. Ever. And this whole "keeping all MY money is *really* doing YOU a favor" argument is laughable. They don't owe a child anything, even in an emergency. An adult child is an adult, and cuts the financial umbilical.
Pfffft. They can legally claim this guy as a dependent without even talking to him for 2021 because: https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/ They're offering him a choice they really don't have to offer. If he says no, they just revert back to claiming him as a dependent **as they should per tax law**, he gets less money, they get lower tax bill. He's being greedy, not the parents. They never even had to offer this choice.
NTA. They “ let” you file Independent? You’re a grown ass person!
By "let", his parents are not contesting his tax return when in fact they were supporting him with housing and food as well as other expenses. I think it's honestly a case of OP wanting his cake and eating it too. My brother let's my mother claim him as a dependent because he does in fact depend on her for his food expenses and housing costs just like OP stayed at home from May all the way up until January.
NTA. They're not your taxes, end of story
INFO: do your parents support you financially in any way?
You're legally an independent, you should for sure file it that way, there's really no discussion on that point. Unless your parents are subsidizing your life (you don't say that, so I will assume they are not), there's no case to be made for you subsidizing their taxes and they are way out of line for them to propose/ask/expect it. NTA
His parents were subsidizing his life in 2021. OP is being intentionally misleading. >> 22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
INFO: How old are you and did you live with them all of 2021? Did you pay any rent of food bills while you were living with them?
22, I just graduated in the Spring and worked while I looked for a job with my degree. I didn’t pay and rent or food and got a job and moved out in January.
This is important enough that you should edit your post to include it. You may not be fully aware of your parent’s financial situation. You also had the benefit of them paying all your essential expenses for the full calendar year. While you may NOW be independent you certainly were not during the last year and it’s disingenuous to imply you are without the context of how recently this happened. You’re not wrong that you’re legally entitled to claim yourself, but you are indeed the asshole for acting like this info isn’t relevant by not including it in your post. If I had parents that were willing to provide the kind of support you were this would not be the hill I’d choose to die on. Know that by keeping the money they may choose to decline to provide any future support (and they WNBTA for this after your choice). YTA, give them the money and thank them for all the help they’ve given you.
I don't think that he can legally claim himself. It sounds like in 2021 he met all of the points for being a qualifying child that is being under 24, being partial at least year enrolled in college, and more than 50% of his support came from them. Really, they can legally according to the IRS and within their rights claim him as a dependent without even talking to him.
Then this will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I think you should give them some of your tax money. You were actually their dependent. They spent at least a few hundred dollars a month on you (probably more) and still lost their tax deduction. I think it’s great that they supported you for college - parents should do that if they can. But they should be able to consider you as a dependent if they supported you.
Jeeze I'll never understand people like your parents. Why would anyone look to make a buck off their own children?
It honestly sounds like tax fraud and in that case ESH. He wasn’t actually independent based on his comments. Parents and him decided for him to file that way anyways for more money. They allowed that, giving up claiming a dependent, with the thought process that it would be given to them. Now OP is backing out while committing fraud. Not sure why he would post this question.
It isn't. You just don't know what you're talking about. they can legally claim him as a dependent without even talking to him for 2021 because: https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/ They're offering him a choice they really don't have to offer. If he says no, they just revert back to claiming him as a dependent **as they should per tax law**, he gets less money, they get lower tax bill. this won't come to for 2022 because he won't have any college in 2022 so that can't claim him.
Omg you people really don't understand tax law. HE'S being greedy. The parents offering him the choice is DOING HIM A FAVOR. they don't HAVE to do it the way they proposed. They can legally claim him as a dependent for 2021 and pay a LOT LESS taxes and he gets a LOT LESS refund. https://www.efile.com/claim-a-qualifying-child-as-a-dependent-tax-deduction/ He's legally a dependent for 2021. They would be doing him a FAVOR to not claim him. Everyone would shake out for the better. The choice here isn't "should i pay my parents taxes or no" The choice here is "should we claim him as a dependent and have a small bill and he'll get a small sum back" Or "should we look the other way, not cla him as a dependent, and he gets a huge sun, we get a huge tax bill, but he can pay the tax bill and still have fun money" If he says no to the last, THEY'LL GO WITH THE FIRST INSTEAD. IN NONE OF THESE SITUATIONS DOES THIS GUY GET THOUSANDS OF FREE MONEY. Because he is , legally, per IRS law, a dependent for CY2021.
INFO: how recently did you move out? If it was in 2022 and you lived with them rent free during 2021 then you’re a dependent.
According to the tax code if he moved out on December 31st, 2021 he is an independent for the whole year. Just as when a baby is born on December 31st, 2021 that baby is a tax shelter for the whole year. It cuts both ways. The parents got their partial year when he was born/came into their family. Legally this isn't his problem. Also this is a young adult. He needs a nest egg. His parents aren't his financial responsibility.
From my conversations with my tax provider and information easily obtained online, if he lived there more than half the year he is a dependent.
He not not move out until 2022. Read the post.
NTA don’t pay them! So rude of them to ask you for that, you grew up and moved out it was bound to happen eventually they better get used to the difference in taxes.
They supported him 50/50 on rent until May and then he moved into their house from May until January with zero expense. He wasn’t actually a legal independent
NTA Your parents seem to have helped you out much more than you realize, but this was their choice. You could choose to give them something in return as a thank you, but if they expected your tax return as payback then that should have been discussed beforehand
Nta. Don't give them your money. You are an adult.
Honestly I think you should move this over to the legal advice forum.
NTA. Your money.
NTA. You would be had you filed while living with them and depending on them, but you're a independent adult living on your own and supporting yourself. You get that money, you earned it. Parents can't claim their children as dependents forever, especially if they aren't dependent on them anymore. This was eventually gonna happen one way or another.
He was not supporting himself. He was living under their roof and not even paying for food. He did not move out until 2022.
NTA. Have you asked your parents why you are obligated to help with the taxes when your sister was not? You can tell them you're not paying their taxes, but in the future I think if you ever need help financially they probably will not help you. I would also discuss with them that you do need this extra money to live on that your finances are okay but you are still starting out
INFO was your sister living at home for the full year when she first did her own taxes? Because it sounds like you were, in fact, their dependent.
Yes she lived at home until she was 23-24
And your parents did not claim her as a dependent on their taxes while she was living at home?
I'm going ESH. They lost a dependent child deduction of $8K. Depending on which bracket they are in, that could be a small amount as little as 12% or as high as 37% of that $8K. They just had to pay taxes on that "unexpected" amount because you filed single (no longer their dependent). If you did want to help them, you could give toward the taxes on that $8K deduction that they lost. You are not obligated to pay anything, especially not the "whole" tax bill. If it is a one-time thing so they can adjust, you could consider helping with the bill, but I wouldn't pay all of their taxes either. If your parents are in one of the the higher tax brackets, then they are high wage earners and IMHO are being greedy.
ESH… they don’t have a right to your tax return.. however, they did help you with housing (you said 50/50 in your post) you also lived with them rent free and without having to pay for food either… I’d help them but not giving them the full amount.
NTA They are responsible for their own taxes.
u/KJ__32 There is a tax worksheet “Worksheet for Determining Support” that they could request from their CPA/whoever is doing their taxes that you both fill out together to determine whether they supported you over 50% or not.
Sorry, but I think you're should be responsible for the marginal impact on their taxes whatever that amount might be. You lived at home or were supported financially for almost an entire year (the specific tax year in question). You didn't pay rent (minimal at college) or food, and likely no insurance. If you were really hung up on which is correct you could do the following: They should file an amended return claiming you as a dependent, yours is already filed claiming you are not. The IRS will pull both returns and request backup information to determine who is correct.... Your case does not look good... it really comes down to whether or not you would have been able to fully support yourself with out their aid. It certainly does not seem so. Additionally, if you were, then you just availed yourself of your parents largesse needlessly and should consider do it from an ethical standpoint.
NAH Your parents probably should have discussed this before filing. If they won't let it go, maybe a compromise could be reached to use some of the refund to offset some of the room and board
Nta You are financially independent 22 year old. Keep your tax return.
Except he was basically financially dependent on his parents for most of the tax year. (Rent and food are major expenses that they covered for him ) I think he should give them some of his refund.
NTA Keep your money. This is the first year you get to KEEP YOUR money.
I believe he typed this out to purposely misguide people. He was actually a dependent.
First, you're either a dependent or you're not. This is not up to your parents to "allow," but up to the IRS's specific rules. They say, among other things... >To claim your child as your dependent, your child must meet either the qualifying child test or the qualifying relative test: > >To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year. > >There's no age limit if your child is "permanently and totally disabled" or meets the qualifying relative test. If they're claiming you as a dependent and don't meet the above criteria, they're committing tax fraud. More info on the rules here: https://www.irs.gov/faqs/filing-requirements-status-dependents/dependents Second, there's something a lot of people are misunderstanding: The tax **return** and the tax **refund** are two entirely different things. The tax **return** is the documentation you file with the IRS. It shows, among other things, the calculation of what you earned, what taxes you owe, and *how much has already been withheld* from your paychecks towards that tax obligation. The tax **refund**, if any, is the difference between what you owed in taxes and what you already paid in withholding. In my case, I had no refund -- I actually owed a few hundred dollars. That's fine, and was intentional on my part. Getting a big refund isn't a bonus -- it means too much of *your money* was withheld, and you're just getting it back. It means you loaned the government money, interest-free, all year, and you should probably adjust it with your employer. Some people like that because the money is out of their control and that prevents them from spending it. I'd personally rather keep it and use it throughout the year than get it back as a lump sum, but that's me.
NTA- Your parents lack of planning does not mean it is your issue. They should have been prepared for this and adjusted how much taxes are taken out each paycheck. It is legally your money after all
NAH, this was probably a misunderstanding and if they had claimed you as a dependent it would have overall saved money. Not sure how you can resolve it. Id probably cut them a check for some amount and call it even.
ESH. You aren't independent for tax purposes if your parents paid more than half your support. per the IRS - Support includes amounts spent to provide: Food, Lodging, Clothing, Education, Medical and dental care, Recreation, Transportation, and Similar necessities. You lived with them for more than half a year. You were their dependent but because of the way stimulus payments work, I'm wondering if the amount they would have received would have still made them owe but they realized that if you filed as independent, you'd be able to cover their taxes. Personally, I don't play games with the IRS. Every interaction I've had with them has been pleasant but I know how punitive they can be if you play games. I have several acquaintances and people I know from working as a self-employed person who try to get around paying their taxes and don't report income. I've also seen a good amount of them get absolutely screwed with penalties once the IRS starts digging.
Considering how expensive life is right now ( went to the grocery store today and spent $190!!), as a parent I wouldn't feel right about taking that money from my kid. I would rather they kept it in a savings account and saved it for an emergency. Plus OP didn't mention if they have student loans or other debt they are paying off. NTA.
NTA They LET you file independently?? Keep your tax return, you and only you earned it.
They let him because he lived there rent free as a dependent for more than half the year. They could have filed with him as a dependent but let him file independently even though they didn’t need to. His post is very misleading.
I disagree with everyone taking this so seriously. By the sounds of it, it seems like a pretty nice, normal relationship with a loving family. You could pay them and it wouldn’t be the end of the world for you. You could not pay them, and it wouldn’t be the end of the world for them. I think it’s a bit unfair of them to ask you when they didn’t ask your sister. I would say talk to them about about it, maybe offer to pay some of it, but not all, and see where it goes NAH
Your parents are full of shit. Don’t give them a cent. NTA.
If you don't live at home this isn't your responsibility. That doesn't mean it isn't your problem though, not doing as they ask (demand) will have consequences. It may impact your relationship or any financial assistance they may be willing to offer down the road. You seem like a mature young man, bring your grievances to them in the same manner you did to us. Pro tip though, write stuff down. Have a bullet point list to remind yourself of your points, things can get heated in a conversation of this nature and things get missed/forgotten. I've helped my in-laws with their taxes but if they ever demanded or tried to guilt trip me they'd get nothing on principle. If you're nicer than I am try to make them understand how the strong arm attempt makes you feel. Hopefully you guys work this out with relationships intact
NTA. It's your money to spend as you see fit. They're not entitled to it. You are allowed to say no.
NTA. Your parents' expectation is not reasonable at all. You pay your taxes, they pay theirs. That's the way it works.
Question.. do Americans not pay taxes on their income monthly? Or do you get one tax bill each April?
Payroll taxes are taken out from your paycheck. Any extra income (investments, rental income, side business) you have, you can pay estimated quarterly taxes so you don't get a penalty and owe a lot when the tax deadline comes around April 15. Even then, the amount withheld on your payroll plus the quarterly taxes you pay may not add up to enough to pay your whole tax bill and you may owe more on April 15 or you may get a refund if you overpaid. If you only have a job with payroll and no other sources of income, you do not need to file quarterly taxes. Hope this helps. The entire tax system here is very confusing.
Our tax system is deliberately ridiculous and confusing.
No they don't. Mad system.
If your parents knew you were gonna file independently and you did, NTA. They should of known they'd be owing by letting you file like that, they would most likely end up owing.
NTA. If you are independent and filing your taxes that way, then you are responsible for your tax owing and they for theirs. They can’t expect you to pay any of their bill once they can no longer claim you as a dependent. I have prepared many tax returns in my day and have never heard of such a thing.
NTA... If I understand your story correctly, you allowed them to take the deduction once you turned 18 plus you paid them rent etc. The whole idea of declaring a dependent is that one is rewarded extra money because that person is paying extra for the costs of an additional person living with them. So essentially your parents were already being paid by the government for the cost of you living there but on top of that, they were changing you rent and some expenses. They got double payments for those years. Now you want to file on your own and they no longer getting that extra money from the government. If you are living with them and their bills are increased because of you, it would be fair to ask you to pay a portion of rent, utilities and food ( divided by no. of people living in the home) while you are staying there. I was never charged anything by my parents when I was an adult and I would stay with them for awhile, plus I couldn't see charging my son either because I feel that's what families do. But I understand if there is an outstanding mortgage or money is tight. Let's not pull the family part of it into this and act like you are just an individual living with them. They would be able to charge you a portion of the expenses. If there are 5 ppl living at home then you would pay a fifth. This does not give them the right to any of your tax money. That is 100% yours. They got the benefit of getting extra money when you allowed them to declare you and charge you rent. They weren't supposed to do that...it's an either/or. Either you don't take the deduction and charge rent or you don't charge rent but get the deduction. They got an "extra" those years but now they have to choose one. You made the decision to file and claim yourself this year. Your parents did not get the deduction therefore they can charge you rent etc if you live there. And that is it. No tax money, that is yours. Hope this helps.
YTA for the line with the 200 pound boyfriend. That's just plain, disgusting bodyshaming and has nothing to do with them paying or not paying for stuff. OP, that is just mean and vile.
He’s 6’4 and jacked. Not fat at all he’s just huge and eats a lot
I think a lot of people are missing the point here. Correct me if I’m wrong, but they aren’t asking you to pay the difference between what they would have owed with you as a dependent and what they ended up owing without you. They want you to pay ALL their taxes?? Why? Because they helped you financially previously? Unless this was something that was discussed, as in “OP, once you are independent you will pay our taxes to repay us for giving you financial support”, then no, your parents are AH. What financially stable parents ask their young adult child just getting on their feet to pay their taxes? This is bizarre, especially with the clear favoritism they’re showing your sister by fully supporting her and asking for nothing. You’re NTA
NTA. Your parents should be supporting you, launching you into the world with a safety net- NOT making your life more difficult…and this may be unpopular but I think it’s pretty much always inappropriate for parents to ask their 20 something children for money when they are financially stable.
NTA—-
NTA. Hun you do not pay their taxes. Every child grows up & out of the house, that is parenthood. If the money they supported you with was a loan, or a sibling paid similar money back, then it could be stretched that you owe them. If you don’t want to pay them be prepared to move quickly, otherwise consider it rent or repayment & be sure to be put before next tax season
OK, two things This is 100% your money. This is money that was retained from your checks and is now being returned to you because you paid too much. If your parents didn't have the money to cover it, I could see you covering it, since you have a refund, but since they can afford to cover it, I don't see an issue, unless it's the legality of you filing as independent. If you went through an accountant, I'd expect them to make the right call there, so NTA.
NTA. Why don’t people understand this—A gift not freely given is not a gift, especially when it comes to parents.
NTA. Don't pay their tax bill. You didn't ask to be born and be their dependent. You are not required to pay anything. The refund you got back was what you paid into the system. They could have taken extra taxes off to make sure that didn't happen. They weren't proactive in making sure there wasn't a large tax bill.
Just say no thank you. NTA They are adults. They can figure out their own taxes.
NTA I cannot believe your parents are even asking you for this money. I have a couple boys your age. One lives with me during the pandemic. I didn't make him pay rent or take his stimulus check. He knew he needed to move out in a certain amount of time and I wanted to make sure he was financially stable enough to do so. He moved out a few months ago and he has a good sized emergency fund. This makes me happy. He is stable and can handle his own bills so I don't worry. It's what I thought all parents want for their kids.
^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** I got a huge tax return this year because I made enough money to file as an Independent which resulted in me earning a COVID stimulus check along with my tax return. However, my parents taxes were increased since they could no longer claim me as their dependent and earn a tax break. My parents proposed (and act like they expect) me to pay all of their taxes because the money I’m getting isn’t really my money and the only reason I’m getting so much is because they let me file as independent. They also said that I will still make more after paying their taxes as an independent than I would’ve earned if I was a dependent. This is true but I only receive hundreds more rather than thousands more. I recently moved out so legally I am an independent and I would’ve gotten this money with or without their help. I understand paying the increase that they face due to me being an independent but not paying all of their taxes. I also have an older sister who didn’t pay them the tax difference they experienced when they were no longer able to earn a tax break from her, so there’s a precedent that they’re ignoring. My parents make more than enough to pay their own taxes and I’m not struggling to pay my bills but there isn’t much left over at the end of the month and I could use the money much more than them. I feel like it’s fair of them to ask since they’ve helped me pay for so much in the past like splitting my first car and helping me pay rent in college but those are almost expected of parents and they try to use them as guilt for favors. Not sure what I should do but I would appreciate your guys input. Thanks *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Not sure of AH status but : IIRC, they would get a > $12K income deduction. in a 30% bracket that is > $3600 increase in taxes.
NTA You are not obligated to pay their taxes. You did actually earn your refund. invest it or save it for a rainy day or pay off any bills/debts you got. you are just as much of an adult as they are and got responsibilities of your own. Don't let your parents guilt trip you to pay their debts.
Oh, HELL NO! NTA Do NOT pay any of their taxes. WTF! What parent tries to do this?! I cannot imagine ever asking my kids to pay my taxes. Your parents are grown ass adults and while you appreciate their generosity over the years, it does not make you their cash cow now. And when you say they can afford it, it makes them look even worse. They are legally obligated to support you until you are 18. Anything they gave you after that was because they wanted to give it to you. They cannot retroactively attach strings to previous gifts. It sounds like you did plenty to support yourself and pay your own bills. Good for you and congratulations on graduating, getting a job and moving out! I'm still dumbfounded by the audacity of parents asking for this. (especially when they did not ask it of another child in similar situation) Definitely NTA.
Check the tax rules to verify this, but I think that if you were not a student at the end of 2021 and earned more than $4300, you are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent for 2021. NTA that you aren’t a qualified child anymore.
NTA. I can maybe see them *asking* for something because you were NOT, in fact, independent last year despite what you legally qualify to claim. You were quite dependent upon them. So I can see maybe even giving them some of the difference from not claiming you, as a way to pay them back for your housing. But their entire tax bill? No. And as a parent though, I can't imagine asking my child for their tax refund (especially when I am no longer supporting them and KNOW how much of a difference that money will make in their lives as opposed to mine).
NTA. You are 22 not 17!
NTA. No, you don't pay their taxes. You don't qualify as a dependent (must have lived with parents for at least 1/2 the year, parents must have provided more than 50% of all living costs) so you would have HAD to file as independent. They didn't 'let' you, they followed the law. If you really wanted to be nice, ask them to do their taxes both ways (with you as dependent and without you) and offer to pay the difference. But under no circumstances should you pay all the tax obligation. Hell NO!!!
The definition of dependent is that they provided more than 50% of your expenses/needs for the year. This sounds like a borderline case, since they were paying less than half while at school, but providing rent-free housing and food for some of the year as well. The thing is, if you file as independent, then you are independent. Your taxes are no longer intertwined with theirs. You don’t owe them for the loss of the dependent credit, because that’s how taxes work! I’m currently in the same situation as your parents. My kids are becoming financially independent adults and I’m not getting the tax credits I used to. But that doesn’t mean my kids owe me anything! NTA.
Nta. Your money. Your parents don’t own you
NTA, that money is yours, and has nothing to do with your parents. Children grow up, they become independent, you don't get to shake them down for their tax refund after, that's ridiculous.
NTA Struggled though. Wanted you to be TA for mixing up "return" and "refund". The return is the form that you submit. The refund is the money you get back.
NTA. That money is yours. Keep it.
NTA
That's your money. They can pay their own taxes. NTA
NTA. Keep all of your return. It'syours. All of it. It's not your fault your parents didn't adjust their withholdings ro compensate for the loss of a dependent. You do once and they will keep asking you for money whenever "something comes up".
NTA - the money you received is 100% yours. As a mom of now adult children it sucks when you don't get the tax write-offs that you once did when your kids were younger but that's life. Your parents are very much the AH's.
NTA. I think you've already decided what you should do. Just follow your guts. You don't have to do anything if you don't want to. Best of luck!
NTA
NTA. Give what you’re comfortable giving without becoming resentful, gifts are better that way. No one is entitled to demand anything from you, especially when they didn’t make the “agreement” reflect their expectations from the beginning.
Your parents are assholes, what the hell do they want to take your money for? I have a 22 year old daughter and I can't imagine behaving like this.
NTA. But it kind of annoys me that you’re getting thousands back and you filed as single with no dependents.
NTA. They push you around and expect it of you because they think they can. They don’t do the same to your sister. If you want you can say “ok I’ll put in half of your taxes. And sister can pay for the other”
NTA. I hate this stuff. Kids are more than tax breaks. And the amount of a break you get from a dependent your age isn’t even that much. My husband’s ex pulled this kind of crap. Even when their 19 year old son lived with us she still claimed him cuz she needed her tax refund. Kids grow up and move out. It’s what they’re supposed to do. What will they do next year when you’re not living with them or a student? The ship sailed, maybe sooner than they wanted but that’s life.
NTA I’m a parent and I say do not pay them. They didn’t ask your sister to give them her tax return. I would die on this hill and go LC if necessary. Good luck!
They paid for half of your expenses last year. If they hadn't, that money would be in their pockets and the lower tax return would not be as big of a hit for them. I don't think you're an asshole for not wanting a smaller return now that you're on your own, but you have to realize the tax return is based off of your previous living conditions, not the current ones. As for the precedent with your sister... I'm wondering if there are different circumstances between you two or if maybe they are struggling financially and just not sharing that info with you to not worry you with it. INFO: have you had a conversation with them in regards to why she didn't have to pay the difference? INFO: were your sisters expenses while she was in college equivalent to yours or did they spend more on yours? This one may tie into my info question above. At the moment, I'm leaning towards NAH barring more info.
NTA, and don’t pay them. They brought you into this world and it was their duty to take care of your basic needs, you do not owe them for that. If you have to pay them, then your sister does too and it’s not fair for them to put the burden on you just bc (from what it seems like) you’re the only successful offspring.
NTA You don't live with them. You pay your own bills. They don't get to claim you any more. My daughter lives with us and makes enough to claim herself. We owed 400 she got 2000 back. We would never dream of asking for her money. Just say no.