<p>D is 18, a full-time high school student, employed part-time. Do I claim her as a deduction? If so, on her own tax return, does she list “0” deductions?</p>
<p>I claim my kids in that situation and then they declare
0. Your mileage may vary…</p>
<p>New, I think you do, and I think the determinant is (1) do you provide for her support at least 6 months out of the year, and (2) does she have any dependents of her own (with regard to # of dependents she actually has, and if she will claim herself). Almost certainly the answers are yes and no, respectively, and, she shouldn’t claim herself. </p>
<p>I am not a tax specialist and have no formal credentials though.</p>
<p>New…, yes you may claim her as dependent. In general, parents are ussually in a higher tax bracket than child.</p>
<p>and yes she lists 0 in her 1040. Even with that she will not lose her standard deduction of $5,150. If she made less than that she won’t pay any taxes and more than that she will most likely be in 10% rate.</p>
<p>May I suggest that you should very seriously consider buying a basic tax prep software?</p>
<p>Learn the definition of dependent, that’s how you keep claiming your college student, a parent or other relative- do they DEPEND on your financial support for more than 50%… In your case, yes, you claim and they don’t. But always check official tax information, not your friendly neighbors here.</p>