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question.jpgIn Federal Income Tax

I am a dependent. Do I have to file a tax return?

You do not have to file a tax return if you do not meet the minimum income requirements ($7950 for a single taxpayer). However, if you do choose to file a tax return and someone is claiming you as a dependent, then you cannot claim yourself as a dependent. In this case, the dependent should check the box indicating that someone else is claiming him or her as a dependent.

To be claimed as a dependent, however, the person being claimed as a dependent must be legally be your child and a member of the household for an entire year. Moreover, he/she must have US citizenship, must have made less than $3,200 in gross income (unless the child is under 19), and you must have provided more than half of the child’s support.