Family Who Can I Claim as a Tax Dependent? Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Written by TurboTaxLisa Published May 31, 2024 4 min read The question, “Who can I claim as my dependent?” has remained a top question for many taxpayers. It is an area where tax deductions and credits are often overlooked or inaccurately reported on tax returns. Under tax reform, you can no longer claim the dependent exemption — but you still need to know who qualifies as your dependent for other tax benefits like the Child Tax Credit (up to $2,000 per child under age 17) or the $500 Other Dependent Credit for children over 17 years old or for those who aren’t your children. While we’ll help you to understand who may be eligible to claim as a dependent below, don’t worry about remembering these rules come tax time. TurboTax has you covered. Who Can I Claim As a Tax Dependent? The 5 tests that qualify a child as a dependent Relationship: Must be your child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (grandchild or niece/nephew). Residence: Must have the same residence for more than half the year (exceptions apply). Age: Must be under age 19 or under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months. They can be any age if they are totally and permanently disabled. Support: Received more than half of their support from you. Joint Support: The child cannot file a joint return for the year (unless to claim a refund of taxes paid or withheld). The 4 tests that will qualify a relative as a dependent Not a Qualifying Child: They are not the “qualifying child” of another taxpayer or your “qualifying child.” Gross Income: The dependent being claimed earns less than $5,050 in 2024 ($4,700 in 2023). Total Support: You provide more than half of the total support for the year. Member of Household or Relationship: The person (a friend, girlfriend, non-blood relative) must live with you all year as a member of your household or be related to you. Many taxpayers are surprised to find they may be able to claim a boyfriend, girlfriend, domestic partner, or friend as a qualifying relative if: They are a member of your household the entire year. The relationship between you and the dependent does not violate the law, for example, you can not still be married to someone else. (Also, check your individual state law, as some states do not allow you to claim a boyfriend or girlfriend as a dependent even if your relationship doesn’t violate the law). You meet all the other criteria for “qualifying relatives” (gross income and support). Dependent FAQ Question: My 26-year-old is living with me. He works and made more than $5,050 in 2024. Can I claim him as a dependent? Answer: No, because your child would not meet the age test, which says your “qualifying child” must be under age 19 or 24 if a full-time student for at least 5 months out of the year. To be considered a “qualifying relative”, his income must be less than $5,050 in 2024 ($4,700 in 2023). Question: I started work in September of this year and had my baby in March. Can I claim my baby as a dependent on my taxes? Answer: Yes, even if you have a baby on December 31, you can claim them as a dependent on your taxes. Question: My boyfriend fully supports me. We live with his mother, but my boyfriend pays our full support, including rent. His mother wants to claim us as dependents. Who can claim the deduction? Answer: As long as your boyfriend is not married (be sure to check your individual state law regarding claiming a boyfriend or girlfriend as some states don’t comply with the federal law), supplies over half of your support, and you lived with him the entire year and did not earn more than $5,0500, you would qualify as his dependent. His mother could not claim you since she did not provide more than half of the support. Question: My spouse has not worked all year except for one month, can I claim him as a dependent? Answer: You cannot claim a spouse as a dependent. However, if you file married filing jointly, you may have more tax benefits. No matter what moves you made last year, TurboTax will make them count on your taxes. Whether you want to do your taxes yourself or have a TurboTax expert file for you, we’ll make sure you get every dollar you deserve and your biggest possible refund – guaranteed. Get started Previous Post Nanny and Housekeeper Tax Rules Next Post Fun in the Sun: Summer Day Camp Expenses May Qualify… Written by Lisa Greene-Lewis Lisa has over 20 years of experience in tax preparation. Her success is attributed to being able to interpret tax laws and help clients better understand them. She has held positions as a public auditor, controller, and operations manager. Lisa has appeared on the Steve Harvey Show, the Ellen Show, and major news broadcast to break down tax laws and help taxpayers understand what tax laws mean to them. For Lisa, getting timely and accurate information out to taxpayers to help them keep more of their money is paramount. More from Lisa Greene-Lewis Follow Lisa Greene-Lewis on Twitter. 1,003 responses to “Who Can I Claim as a Tax Dependent?” « Older Comments Newer Comments » Is it required to have an IP PIN for each adult dependent that I claim? I have 4 adult dependents and zero children. 1. My son, 30 years old and disabled. 2. My oldest son, 35 years old and not working for a year. 3. His girlfriend, 35 years old and disabled. 4. My brother, 57 years old and not working due to a bad fall he had last year, but he is not disabled. Hi Paula, The IP PIN is assigned to the person filing the tax return, not the dependents. The IRS IP PIN is a 6-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. Thanks How do you get a pen? My daughter and grandson have lived with me for the last year, and went to do taxes and the dead beat dad had claimed the child. Why can’t he be made to pay back? Is social security considered gross income for my retired parents who live with me? Trying to determine if I can claim them as dependents. Help… Hi Leigh, Many families are caring for parents now. You may claim parents as a dependent if you provided at least half of their support during the year. Support from you includes food, housing, medical expenses, clothing and other essentials. The parent’s income may not exceed $4,150 for 2018; that amount does not include any Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits he is receiving. To claim a parent or anyone as a dependent, they may not be eligible as a dependent on another person’s tax return. Hope this helps. Hi Leigh, Many families are caring for parents now. You may claim parents as a dependent if you provided at least half of their support during the year. Support from you includes food, housing, medical expenses, clothing and other essentials. The parent’s income may not exceed $4,150 for 2018; that amount does not include any Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits they are receiving. To claim a parent or anyone as a dependent, they may not be eligible as a dependent on another person’s tax return. Hope this helps. My daughter is medically retired military and receives a disability check of 1780/mo. Does she have to file taxes? Can I claim her on my taxes as a dependent? she’s 23 I live with daughter I have been for 7 years now. Can she claim me and n her taxes for 2019 Hi Patricia, Many families are caring for parents now. She may claim you as a dependent if she provided at least half of their support during the year. Support includes food, housing, medical expenses, clothing and other essentials. Your income may not exceed $4,150 for 2018; that amount does not include any Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits you are receiving. To claim a parent or anyone as a dependent, they may not be eligible as a dependent on another person’s tax return. Thanks I am on disability and my husband and I have decided to separate so now I’m on ACHCCCS at the age of 61.. ACHCCCS says I cannot file a joint tax in order to receive ACHCCCS. .Can my daughter now claim me as I live with her now My daughter turned 25 in September 2018. Can we claim her since she was 24 for more than half the year? Hi Michele, Your daughter may be considered a Qualifying relative. The 4 tests that will qualify a relative as a dependent are: 1. Qualifying Child: They are not the “qualifying child” of another (such as a spouse) 2. Gross Income: The dependent being claimed earns less than $4,150 in 2018. 3. Total Support: You provide more than half of the total support for the year. 4. Member of Household or Relationship: The person (a friend, girlfriend, non-blood relative) must live with you all year as a member of your household or be related to you. Thank you If my son was 24 @ the end of the year, attended college for 8 months, earned just over 6k for the year, however he lived with us the full year and we fully supported him, can he be claimed as a dependent? And can his tuition for the year be deducted? can we claim our dogs? Hello Marie, This is a frequently asked question. If the dogs are service animals, such as a guide dog, you can deduct your expenses you incurred from buying, training, and taking care of him. This includes food and vet care (as it relates to your pet’s duties). Please keep in mind that your pet must be certified and trained as a service animal. IRS Publication 502 offers more information. Thank you I have know comment I have a question. Wanted to know xan I came my mother who live with and she receives her Sociam Security. My daughter was 18 years in 2018 she worked and went to full time but she worked a part time and earned more than 4,000 can I still claim her as a dependent even though she filed her own tax return for 2018? Hi Maria, If your daughter indicated on the tax return that she IS a dependent of another; then yes you can still claim her. She must select the option for “I can be claimed on someone else’s return”, on the return. Thanks Me and my daughter are disabled. I’m living with a friend I pay rent and buy whatever is needed. Can he clam us on his income tax’s and if so what Credit does he receive how much $$$ need to no ASAP and can I fill my own income tax become I pay him « Older Comments Newer Comments » Browse Related Articles Deductions and Credits Child Tax Credit 101 Family What Is a Dependent? An Introductory Guide to Dependents Tax Deductions and Credits What is the Child Tax Credit and How Do I Qualify? Deductions and Credits Can I Claim my Girlfriend as a Dependent? 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Is it required to have an IP PIN for each adult dependent that I claim? I have 4 adult dependents and zero children. 1. My son, 30 years old and disabled. 2. My oldest son, 35 years old and not working for a year. 3. His girlfriend, 35 years old and disabled. 4. My brother, 57 years old and not working due to a bad fall he had last year, but he is not disabled.
Hi Paula, The IP PIN is assigned to the person filing the tax return, not the dependents. The IRS IP PIN is a 6-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. Thanks
How do you get a pen? My daughter and grandson have lived with me for the last year, and went to do taxes and the dead beat dad had claimed the child. Why can’t he be made to pay back?
Is social security considered gross income for my retired parents who live with me? Trying to determine if I can claim them as dependents. Help…
Hi Leigh, Many families are caring for parents now. You may claim parents as a dependent if you provided at least half of their support during the year. Support from you includes food, housing, medical expenses, clothing and other essentials. The parent’s income may not exceed $4,150 for 2018; that amount does not include any Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits he is receiving. To claim a parent or anyone as a dependent, they may not be eligible as a dependent on another person’s tax return. Hope this helps.
Hi Leigh, Many families are caring for parents now. You may claim parents as a dependent if you provided at least half of their support during the year. Support from you includes food, housing, medical expenses, clothing and other essentials. The parent’s income may not exceed $4,150 for 2018; that amount does not include any Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits they are receiving. To claim a parent or anyone as a dependent, they may not be eligible as a dependent on another person’s tax return. Hope this helps.
My daughter is medically retired military and receives a disability check of 1780/mo. Does she have to file taxes? Can I claim her on my taxes as a dependent? she’s 23
Hi Patricia, Many families are caring for parents now. She may claim you as a dependent if she provided at least half of their support during the year. Support includes food, housing, medical expenses, clothing and other essentials. Your income may not exceed $4,150 for 2018; that amount does not include any Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits you are receiving. To claim a parent or anyone as a dependent, they may not be eligible as a dependent on another person’s tax return. Thanks
I am on disability and my husband and I have decided to separate so now I’m on ACHCCCS at the age of 61.. ACHCCCS says I cannot file a joint tax in order to receive ACHCCCS. .Can my daughter now claim me as I live with her now
My daughter turned 25 in September 2018. Can we claim her since she was 24 for more than half the year?
Hi Michele, Your daughter may be considered a Qualifying relative. The 4 tests that will qualify a relative as a dependent are: 1. Qualifying Child: They are not the “qualifying child” of another (such as a spouse) 2. Gross Income: The dependent being claimed earns less than $4,150 in 2018. 3. Total Support: You provide more than half of the total support for the year. 4. Member of Household or Relationship: The person (a friend, girlfriend, non-blood relative) must live with you all year as a member of your household or be related to you. Thank you
If my son was 24 @ the end of the year, attended college for 8 months, earned just over 6k for the year, however he lived with us the full year and we fully supported him, can he be claimed as a dependent? And can his tuition for the year be deducted?
Hello Marie, This is a frequently asked question. If the dogs are service animals, such as a guide dog, you can deduct your expenses you incurred from buying, training, and taking care of him. This includes food and vet care (as it relates to your pet’s duties). Please keep in mind that your pet must be certified and trained as a service animal. IRS Publication 502 offers more information. Thank you
I have know comment I have a question. Wanted to know xan I came my mother who live with and she receives her Sociam Security.
My daughter was 18 years in 2018 she worked and went to full time but she worked a part time and earned more than 4,000 can I still claim her as a dependent even though she filed her own tax return for 2018?
Hi Maria, If your daughter indicated on the tax return that she IS a dependent of another; then yes you can still claim her. She must select the option for “I can be claimed on someone else’s return”, on the return. Thanks
Me and my daughter are disabled. I’m living with a friend I pay rent and buy whatever is needed. Can he clam us on his income tax’s and if so what Credit does he receive how much $$$ need to no ASAP and can I fill my own income tax become I pay him