I'm a dependent... do I get education credits (Hope and Lifetime Learning)

[Sarah]

Do my parents get them? I'm 20 yrs old, full time student, and my mom is claiming me as a dependent but I am filing taxes. (My income for last year was ~$10,000 if that makes a difference, I supported myself last year until I came to college in September, at which point me and my two parents have been splitting tuition costs three ways (me-mom-dad).)

Can I claim the Hope or Lifetime Learning tax credits as a dependent? Can my mom claim them?

I'm so confused.
I moved back in with my parents at the beginning of august after having supported myself for a year, and then went straight to college, so I think it's just barely 5 months.

[v b]

You probably should do the supprt test worksheet in publication 501 to ensure that the right person claimed you. Your mom can only claim you if a) you didn't support yourself, b) you were in school (college or high school) for at least 5 months (september is 4) and c) you lived at home.

If your mom rightly fully claimed you, she gets the eduction credit.