The query, “Who can I declare as my dependent?” has remained a prime query for a lot of taxpayers. It’s an space the place tax deductions and credit are sometimes missed or inaccurately reported on tax returns.
Underneath tax reform, you possibly can not declare the dependent exemption — however you continue to have to know who qualifies as your dependent for different tax advantages just like the Youngster Tax Credit score (as much as $2,000 per youngster beneath age 17) or the $500 Different Dependent Credit score for kids over 17 years outdated or for many who aren’t your kids.
Whereas we’ll make it easier to to grasp who could also be eligible to say as a dependent beneath, don’t fear about remembering these guidelines come tax time. TurboTax has you coated.
Who Can I Declare As a Tax Dependent?
The 5 assessments that qualify a baby as a dependent
- Relationship: Should be your youngster, adopted youngster, foster youngster, brother or sister, or a descendant of considered one of these (grandchild or niece/nephew).
- Residence: Should have the identical residence for greater than half the yr (exceptions apply).
- Age: Should be beneath age 19 or beneath 24 and a full-time scholar for not less than 5 months. They are often any age if they’re completely and completely disabled.
- Help: Acquired greater than half of their help from you.
- Joint Help: The kid can not file a joint return for the yr (unless to claim a refund of taxes paid or withheld).
The 4 assessments that may qualify a relative as a dependent
- Not a Qualifying Youngster: They aren’t the “qualifying youngster” of one other taxpayer or your “qualifying youngster.”
- Gross Earnings: The dependent being claimed earns lower than $5,050 in 2024 ($4,700 in 2023).
- Whole Help: You present greater than half of the entire help for the yr.
- Member of Family or Relationship: The particular person (a buddy, girlfriend, non-blood relative) should dwell with you all yr as a member of your family or be associated to you.
Many taxpayers are shocked to search out they are able to declare a boyfriend, girlfriend, home associate, or buddy as a qualifying relative if:
- They’re a member of your family all the yr.
- The connection between you and the dependent doesn’t violate the regulation, for instance, you can’t nonetheless be married to another person. (Additionally, test your particular person state regulation, as some states don’t mean you can declare a boyfriend or girlfriend as a dependent even when your relationship doesn’t violate the regulation).
- You meet all the opposite standards for “qualifying kinfolk” (gross revenue and help).
Dependent FAQ
Query: My 26-year-old resides with me. He works and made greater than $5,050 in 2024. Can I declare him as a dependent?
Reply: No, as a result of your youngster wouldn’t meet the age check, which says your “qualifying youngster” have to be beneath age 19 or 24 if a full-time scholar for not less than 5 months out of the yr. To be thought of a “qualifying relative”, his revenue have to be lower than $5,050 in 2024 ($4,700 in 2023).
Query: I began work in September of this yr and had my child in March. Can I declare my child as a depending on my taxes?
Reply: Sure, even when you have a child on December 31, you possibly can declare them as a dependent in your taxes.
Query: My boyfriend totally helps me. We dwell along with his mom, however my boyfriend pays our full help, together with lease. His mom needs to say us as dependents. Who can declare the deduction?
Reply: So long as your boyfriend is just not married (be sure you test your particular person state regulation relating to claiming a boyfriend or girlfriend as some states don’t adjust to the federal regulation), provides over half of your help, and also you lived with him all the yr and didn’t earn greater than $5,0500, you’d qualify as his dependent. His mom couldn’t declare you since she didn’t present greater than half of the help.
Query: My partner has not labored all yr apart from one month, can I declare him as a dependent?
Reply: You can’t declare a partner as a dependent. Nonetheless, when you file married submitting collectively, you will have extra tax advantages.
It doesn’t matter what strikes you made final yr, TurboTax will make them rely in your taxes. Whether or not you wish to do your taxes your self or have a TurboTax expert file for you, we’ll ensure you get each greenback you deserve and your largest doable refund – assured.