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Qualifying Person Pages

Can you claim a Relative, Parent or Friend as a Dependent?

In case an individual does not qualify as a dependent on your tax return, answer a few simple questions below about your relationship with that person and find out if the person can be claimed with your 2023 tax year return as a qualifying person or relative or Other Dependent; the person does not have to be a relative.

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Citizen Qualification
Is this individual a U.S. citizen, a U.S. resident alien, a U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico?
Details
Qualifying Child Status
Does this individual qualify as your - or anybody else's - qualifying child (Dependent) e.g. son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister, or a descendant (e.g. grandchild, niece, nephew etc. of any of them ?
Not Sure?
Qualifying Relationship status
Is this individual related to you OR has lived with you - but not a qualifying child of yours? Furthermore, the qualifying relative doesn't have to live with all year (unlike a non-relative) as a member of your household, the relative could be related to you in one of the following ways: your child, stepchild, or foster child, or a descendant of any of them (e.g. your grandchild) or a legally adopted child, or your r brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister, or your father, mother, grandparent, or other direct ancestor, but not foster parent, or your stepfather or stepmother, or a niece or nephew e.g. son or daughter of your brother or sister, or a son or daughter of your half brother or half sister, or an uncle e.g. brother or sister of your father or mother. Your son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law.
OR
Did this individual live with you all year as a member of your household eg. boyfriend, girlfriend, father/mother of your child etc. (Note: your relationship must not violate local law versus common law.).
Relative vs. Non-Relative?
Income level Exception
Was the 2024 income for this individual below $4,700?
Details, Exceptions
Qualifying Relationship Support
Did you provide support for this individual for more than 6 months during 2024?
Details about supporting an Individual
Joint Return of a Dependent
Did this individual file a joint return for 2024 (unless that joint return is filed only to claim a refund of withheld income tax or estimated tax paid)? Exceptions, Details
Married Dependent
Are you filing a married filing joint return and you or your spouse is claimed as a dependent by an other taxpayer?
Details, Exceptions
Claimed by Another Taxpayer
Does this individual also qualify to be a qualifying relative or dependent of another person? More Details
IRS
The custodial parent is the parent with whom the child lived for the greater number of nights during the year. If a child is treated as the qualifying child of the noncustodial parent under the rules for children of divorced or separated parents (or parents who live apart), described earlier, a noncustodial parent can claim the child if the following applies click here.
If somebody claimed a chiled incorrectly e.g in the case of divorced or separated parents (or parents who live apart) learn about the IRS Tie Braker rules. If somebody incorrectly claimed your dependent on a tax return for the given tax year, you can prepare your return(s) on eFile.com before you download, print and mail them in as you can NOT e-file and claim the dependent. What to do if your dependent has been claimed? Once you submitted your return you will need to contact the IRS about the tie braker rules.
Yes, you can claim this individual as your Qualifying Relative or Dependent.
No, you can not claim this individual as your Qualifying Relative or Dependent.
  • Will this person qualify as your Dependent?
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  • Will this person qualify for the Child Tax Credit?
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Frequently Asked Questions about a Qualifying Person, Relative as Other Dependent

Who qualifies as an Other Dependent versus Dependent?

Dependents are generally individuals who have a closer relationship to the filing taxpayer than other dependents have. For example, parents, boyfriends or girlfriends, relatives, etc. may qualify as other dependents or what is also called a qualifying person or relative. Don't let the term "relative" confuse you; not only do qualifying relatives (blood relatives) qualify as another dependent. The tax credit amount for other dependents is generally less than that for a qualifying dependent.

You can claim another dependent on your return even if that person files his or her own tax return. Learn more here if your other dependent needs to or should file a tax return as well. They may need to file if they reached a certain income in a given tax year etc.

Even though one or more individuals might qualify as on other dependent, it does not mean they also qualify for the child tax credit. Find out here who qualifies for the child tax credit and/or the child or dependent care expense credit.

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