<prompt> Human: I may be posting in the wrong area so feel free to let me know. I am 22 white male. Go to college part time. Have received no financial assistance from my mother. Havent lived with my mother since 18. I have lived on my own and supported myself 100 this past year and every year since moving out. I have had 3 jobs this past year. The past 2 years I have filed my taxes as single and no problem. This year my mom wants to file her taxes as having a dependent me so that she can get more money back because she has a friend that does taxes and said Ill get more money back. I informed my mom that by her filing as having a dependent me that it would mean I wouldnt get much, if any, of a refund back and she would get more back. I have looked at the tax code and I do not meet the criteria for being a dependent. I will link the tax law below. I informed my mom of this and told her she would be lying about her taxes and that it would be considered tax fraud yet she thinks Im a selfish, self centered, money hungry kid...blah blah blah. My question: Am I misinterpreting something here? Is my mom eligible to put me down as a dependent? Articles:  <response>: No, you are totally right. To claim a dependent, you must cover over 50 of their costs IIRC. If you dont receive assistence from her, file as you would. Your mom is not eligible and she is the selfish, self centered, money hungry kid in this case. 