<prompt> Human: Last September I picked up my first job since I had to pay for some expenses college classes, personal expenditure, etc. My mom, who I currently live with now and has basically paid for most of my living expenses since I was a baby, has an accounting friend who usually does our taxes every year. Since I got a job, she had him do my taxes as well. A couple days ago he informed us that my dad has claimed me as his dependent for last year and that my dad will be receiving my tax return unless he cancels his claim on me. However, my dad moved away when I was in sixth grade Im a college freshman now and the only financial support hes provided me in the last year was 150month that is supposed to be shared between me and my older sister. Seeing how I made a few grand working last year, I dont believe Im dependent to him correct me if Im wrong, Im not 100 knowledgeable on this subject I attempted to contact my dad in the last few days to see if he made a mistake claiming me as his dependent or if I could change his mind but he hasnt responded to my emails or my calls. I was wondering if there was something I could do in my situation as the amount of money Id receive from the tax return could be extremely helpful to pay for upcoming summer classes and my housing for the fall semester. Thanks! Edit: Holy this blew up big time while I was at work. Thanks for the replies. Im going to have to spend some time reading through all of them. Assistant: Heres the IRS rules for claiming a dependent Are you under 19, or a student under 24? If not, then youre not a dependent. He also needs to have supplied more than half of your income for that year. If you supplied half your own income then you are probably not a dependent. If you dont meet all those tests, he cant claim you. You would then need to file your own return. If he claims you anyway, the IRS will contact you both to sort it out, and ultimately hell have to file an amended return.Edit: dont take my word for the support requirements. I may have misread it or just be talking out my ass. Consult your local tax professional.Human: Im a 19 year old student but he did not supply more than half my income last year. Is it too late to file my own return? Ive never really done any of this stuff before so Im not sure. Assistant: You file your own return anyway. It doesnt matter if youre a dependent.Human: Thanks. So I just learned that the sole reason why hes claiming me as his dependent is because he paid for child support until I graduated from high school last year in June. Would that change anything?  <response>: Be careful. It depends on the divorce agreement. My husband and hi ex wife each chose a child to claim and his daughter was being hit by about things but we have the court documents. 