OLT TAX CORNER ~ Exemptions

Exemptions FAQ

1.	What are exemptions?
2.	I claimed myself on my return. I then found out that my parents wanted to claim me as a dependent on their return. Is there any way I can correct this, even after my return was accepted by the IRS?

What are exemptions?	Top
There are two types of exemptions: personal exemptions and dependency exemptions. Each exemption reduces the income that is subject to tax by the exemption amount. Only one exemption can be claimed per person. An exemption for a particular person cannot be claimed on more than one tax return.
Personal exemptions can be claimed for the taxpayer and spouse.
Each personal exemption reduces the income that is subject to tax by the exemption amount.
* For 2011 tax year, the exemption amount is $3,700.
* For 2011 tax year, the exemption amount is $3,650.
* For 2009 tax year, the exemption amount is $3,650.
To claim a personal exemption for a spouse:
The taxpayers must be married by the last day of the year, or the spouse must have died during the year, and the taxpayer must not have remarried during the year. * On separate return, if married filing separately, spouse must have no gross income.
Dependency Exemptions
Remember that a dependent is a person other than the taxpayer who entitles the taxpayer to claim a dependency exemption.
To claim a dependency exemption, all of the dependency tests must be met. The five dependency tests are:
Member of household or relationship test Citizen or resident test Joint return test Gross income test Support test
Each dependency exemption reduces the income that is subject to tax by the exemption amount. The exemption amount changes every year.
* For 2011 tax year, the exemption amount is $3,700.
* For 2011 tax year, the exemption amount is $3,650.
* For 2009 tax year, the exemption amount is $3,650.
A taxpayer cannot claim a personal exemption for the taxpayer or the spouse if he or she can be claimed as a dependent on another tax return.
I claimed myself on my return. I then found out that my parents wanted to claim me as a dependent on their return. Is there any way I can correct this, even after my return was accepted by the IRS?	Top
You will need to file an amended return not claiming yourself, or claiming 0 exemptions, instead of 1. You will need to mail in your amended return. Once you do this, your parents will then need to mail in their return claiming you as a dependent. This will all need to be done by mail. And since your return claiming yourself was already accepted, your parents will not be able to e-file and claim you.