Can I file as an independent?

I'm a college student under 24 but my parents don't support me; can I file as independent?

• I'm a little confused on what precisely qualifies you to file independent for taxes. I'm a college student and I go away for college. I'm 19 and since I'm a freshman, half the year in 2011 I lived at home with my parents. That said, they still didn't support me, at least not fully or even 50% I don't think. I worked and paid my own bills and even paid rent/other utility bills for my parents every so often. But I did live under their roof for "free" while I was in high school. Now that I go to college, I'm still not supported by my parents. Now, the government basically supports me haha. I have grants, loans, and work study that pays for my tuition, housing, food, everything. My dad hasn't filed his taxes and said that he wouldn't claim me if I wanted to file independent. My question is, am I allowed to file independent or am I, like for FAFSA, still considered dependent?

• Answer:

  Independent is a FAFSA phrase. It doesn't affect your taxes. You continue to be a dependent for FAFSA until you are 24. For IRS purposes, the issue whether or not you support yourself and then if your wages are more than half of your total support. Since you are considered to be temporarily away from your parent's home for school, you must include your share of that housing expense for the entire year. Use the irs publication 501, page 20 to do the calculation. If you didn't support yourself, you CANNOT claim your exemption even if your dad says he isn't claiming it anyway. Snd, I don't see where in your post you had income anyway. No wages, no refund.