Can you file your taxes if you are a dependent?

Answer 1

In the United States, a person who earns over a certain amount has to file taxes, depending on filing status and age. Technically, anyone who can be claimed as a dependent should not have to file because the majority of their living expenses were paid by someone else. If a dependent earns more than the minimum allowable amount, they are no longer considered a dependent and must file taxes.

Answer 2

You can claim yourself - as long as you are not also claimed by someone else (typically a parent or guardian). For instance - a 21 year old who is a full time student, but earned $5,000 working part time, could be claimed as a dependent on his parents' return as long as they were providing at least 50% support. If claimed on the parents' return as a dependent, then he could not claim himself as a dependent also on his own return. An elderly parent living with (or with the support of) an adult child could face the same dilemma. The parent could be a dependent on her adult son's return if he is providing more than 50% of her support - even though she might have some taxable income from interest or work. But she could then not claim herself as a dependent on her own return.

Answer 3

Yes