<prompt> Human: I am 23, graduated in May, and started working full time in June. I continued to live at home until September, when I moved out for work. I currently make 50k and have paid 850 in interest on my student loans. My mom wants me to file with me as a dependent, which I am fine with since she supported me thru college and all summer, but I want to know if I am missing out on anything financially by not filing as an independent. Any help is appreciated, I can provide more info if needed.  <response>: I want to know if I am missing out on anything financially by not filing as an independentYes, of course. Youll be taxed on an additional 4K of income and may be disqualified from certain deductions and credits that you could otherwise take. For example, you wont be able to deduct your student loan interest.You dont get to choose who claims you. Look at the rules, and figure out if you qualify. I think in your case itll hinge on whether you provided at least half of your support over the course of the year. Id guess you did, which means your mom cant claim you. But you should work it out.If you want to soften the blow, then offer to give her a gift of 500-1K or whatever youre comfortable with to cover part of the lost benefits. 