<prompt> Human: In 2013 and 2014 I filed my taxes with the assumption that I would be claimed on my parents returns. Although I was away at school, and paid for all my expenses, it made more sense for them to claim me.Fast forward to this year, and I found out they never filed their taxes since 2013 because they would have owed money, and couldnt pay them. Ive already discussed with them how much trouble they could and probably will get in, but they wont listen to me. Looking at myself, I assume I can filed amended tax returns for those years, claim myself and the Educational Credits that go with it, and probably get a higher return, correct? My second question is that if I do this, does it put a red flag on my parents returns, and make it more likely for the IRS to see they didnt file?Thanks in advance for the input! I want to make sure Is doing the right thing, and doing it right.  <response>: it made more sense for them to claim me.Just a heads up dependency is not a choice. I get that families often choose for the parents to claim kids higher marginal bracket more savings, but dependency is either yes or no, and outside of divorced parents, there isnt really a choice to be made.If you were a dependent, you should have claimed the personal exemption for yourself. If you were not a dependent, you should not claim the exemption for yourself. Its just that simple.Looking at myself, I assume I can filed amended tax returns for those years, claim myself and the Educational Credits that go with it, and probably get a higher return, correct?Only if youre not a dependent, but if you paid for all of your expenses, you arent a Qualifying Child or a Qualifying Relative, so youre not a dependent. More info in Publication 501You have 3 years from the original filing deadline to claim any refund.My second question is that if I do this, does it put a red flag on my parents returns, and make it more likely for the IRS to see they didnt file?I dont see how since you and your parents are different people. And if theyre not claiming you theres no conflict if you both claim you in the same year, it triggers the IRS to mail each of you a letter and you fill out a form to determine who gets the exemption. 