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.
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.
The Child Tax Credit is up to $2,000. The Credit for Other Dependents is worth up to $500. The IRS defines a dependent as a qualifying child (under age 19 or under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled) or a qualifying relative.
The Child Tax Credit is up to $2,000. The Credit for Other Dependents is worth up to $500. The IRS defines a dependent as a qualifying child (under age 19 or under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled) or a qualifying relative.
Who are dependents? Dependents are either a qualifying child or a qualifying relative of the taxpayer. The taxpayer's spouse cannot be claimed as a dependent. Some examples of dependents include a child, stepchild, brother, sister, or parent.
To qualify for the child and dependent care credit, you must have paid someone, such as a daycare provider, to care for one or more of the following people: A child under age 13 when the care was provided whom you claim as a dependent on your tax return.
Gross income is the total of your unearned and earned income. If your gross income was $4,700 or more, you usually can't be claimed as a dependent unless you are a qualifying child. For details, see Dependents.
A dependent must be a U.S. citizen, resident alien or national or a resident of Canada or Mexico. A person can't be claimed as a dependent on more than one tax return, with rare exceptions. A dependent can't claim a dependent on their own tax return.
To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you or your spouse if filing jointly and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.
You can claim certain adults as your dependents on your tax return, but it's subject to a lot of rules. The adult must live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, and they also can't earn more than a certain amount of money.
“What about tax benefits like the Child Tax Credit?” If your dependent has earned income, can you still claim the Child Tax Credit? The answer is “yes,” but your child must first meet all of the eligibility requirements to be claimed as your qualifying child this tax year.
Once your child reaches the age of 18, they are considered an adult in the eyes of the IRS. However, if they are still a full-time student, you can continue to claim them as a dependent until they turn 24. Once they are no longer a full-time student, you must stop claiming them.
To be a qualifying child for the 2023 tax year, your dependent generally must: Be under age 17 at the end of the year. Be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece or nephew ...
A qualifying person generally is a dependent under the age of 13, a spouse or dependent of any age who is incapable of self-care and who lives with you for more than half of the year.
If you can be claimed as a dependent on your parents' return, you can still file your own return so that you can receive a refund of taxes withheld. (You will not get back anything for Social Security or Medicare withheld.)
Whether a dependent has to file a return generally depends on the amount of the dependent's earned and unearned income and whether the dependent is married, is age 65 or older, or is blind. A dependent may have to file a return even if his or her income is less than the amount that would normally require a return.
You can claim certain adults as your dependents on your tax return, but it's subject to a lot of rules. The adult must live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, and they also can't earn more than a certain amount of money.
In general, a dependent should file if their earned income exceeds the standard deduction for singles or if their investment income exceeds $1,250 for 2023 or $1,300 for 2024. You should file a return if you had taxes withheld from your pay in any amount; determine if you should file here.
This credit can be claimed for: Dependents of any age, including those who are age 18 or older. Dependents who have Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers. Dependent parents or other qualifying relatives supported by the taxpayer.
Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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