When do you claim yourself as a dependent

Nov 3, Articles , Business , Tax. Many Americans receive disability income. Contact Us. Sign Up. Written by Steven Albers. March 17, The Right Call If your dependency exemption is phased out, it will probably make sense not to claim your child as a dependent so he or she can grab a tax credit.

More Resources. Share This Article. Steven Albers. Here are six important facts the IRS wants you to know about dependents and exemptions that will help you file your tax return. For more information on exemptions, dependents and whether you or your dependent needs to file a tax return, see IRS Publication The ITA tool is a tax law resource on the IRS website that takes you through a series of questions and provides you with responses to tax law questions.

Notice: Historical Content This is an archival or historical document and may not reflect current law, policies or procedures. More In News. IRS Tax Tip January 11, Some tax rules affect every person who may have to file a federal income tax return — these rules include dependents and exemptions. Exemptions reduce your taxable income. There are two types of exemptions: personal exemptions and exemptions for dependents.

Many people wonder if they can claim a foreign-exchange student who temporarily lives with them. The answer is maybe, but only if they meet this requirement. Are you the only person claiming them as a dependent? Are they filing a joint return? You cannot claim someone who is married and files a joint tax return. Qualifying child In addition to the qualifications above, to claim an exemption for your child, you must be able to answer "yes" to all of the following questions. Are they related to you?

The child can be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, stepsister, adopted child or an offspring of any of them.

Do they meet the age requirement? Your child must be under age 19 or, if a full-time student, under age There is no age limit if your child is permanently and totally disabled. Do they live with you? Your child must live with you for more than half the year, but several exceptions apply. Do you financially support them? Your child may have a job, but that job cannot provide more than half of her support. Are you the only person claiming them? This requirement commonly applies to children of divorced parents.

These rules establish income, parentage and residency requirements for claiming a child. Qualifying relative Many people provide support to their aging parents. About 30 types of relatives are on this list. We figure it out for you The inclusion of qualified dependents on your tax return is one of the best tax benefits available.

Frequently asked questions Can I claim my child as a dependent if she has a part-time job? Yes, as long as the child does not provide more than half of their own support and meets other criteria noted above.

I support my year-old sister-in-law. Is she qualified to be counted as a dependent on my tax return? Yes, because sisters-in-law meet the relationship requirement and there is no age limit for qualifying relatives.