<prompt> Human: I am 29 years old and have been financially independent from my parents for years now. Before that my mother claimed me as a dependent as I mainly lived with and was supported by her parents are divorced. My mother passed away in December and now my father is coming and asking for my social security because...the tax software is asking for it, but hes not sure why. I know my dad well enough to guess he might be doing something a tad shady, but I am not sure what. I can distinctly remember years ago that he tried to claim myself and my brother as dependents at the same time when my mother was actually the one financially supporting us.Any ideas what he is intending to do with my SS? I ask mainly because this also concerns my brother, whos SS my dad may already have.  <response>: If you are not eligible to be claimed as his dependent, then he doesnt need your SS for his taxes. Dont give it to him. It would also be in your and your brothers best interest to file your tax returns as soon as you can. Doing this will prevent him from filing fraudulently in your name, and it will also prevent him from filing electronically if he tries to claim you. If he persists in trying to claim you and files by mail, the IRS will eventually send both of you a letter asking for proof of why you claimed yourselfhe claimed you, and they should pretty easily rule on your side of that. 