<prompt> Human: Not sure if this is the right subreddit for this, but I figure you guys will be able to give some decent advice. So, I filed my taxes as independent for the 2012 tax year because legally, I am. I am 100 financially independent and have little contact with my parents. However, they had the scumbag who files their taxes amend MY tax return without my consent. In their amended return, they re-filed me as dependent AS WELL AS not a full time college student, so they could get more money from the federal government. Now, the IRS wants my education credit for 2,500 back, and I received a bill in the mail today. Im trying to work with the IRS to prove that I did not file this amended return to take away my independent status and my education credits. Didnt my parents commit tax fraud? They cannot file my taxes for me without consent because I am a legal adult, correct? Obviously, theyre trying to screw me over for their own gain. Can I take legal action against them? What do I tell the IRS? Thank you guys. I appreciate any advice.EDIT: reading the IRS laws on education credits, a dependent student cant claim education expenses. Also, I spoke to my parents. They forged my signature and amended my tax return, claiming me as dependent. They did this so they could claim my college expenses for themselves, and receive the education tax credit. Ill let the IRS know this and get it cleared up. My parents are not willing to give my money back, or even admit they did anything wrong. Ill look into pressing some sort of charges. Thanks for your advice, everyone. Assistant: How exactly did they file a return on your behalf? That shouldnt be possible. Did they forge your signature? Do everything in writing, send the IRS a registered letter responding to their bill explaining the situation. If those are the facts, youre certain to win. Be sure to have evidence of your independence - your rent check, etc. Probably would want to fill out a police report, but Im not a lawyer. Human: They mustve forged my signature, because the IRS has the amended form filed in my name which I obviously did not fill out. I spoke with the IRS today, and sent them my rent bill, tuition payments, ect. Everything proving I was responsible for more than 50 of my own finances throughout the year. Ill look into getting a lawyer soon. Or if I should  <response>: Thats a pretty low thing for parents to do. Forging a signature under any circumstance is a big deal. Forging it on a tax return would be a really big deal.Im trying to imagine how they would justify this action. Did they, or would they claim to have given you money throughout the past year, and thus feel entitled to those credits? 