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February 17, 2025
Question

Adult son with medical problems. He's worked only briefly and I have supported him every month. Can I claim him?

  • February 17, 2025
  • 2 replies
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I've send him a check almost every month for a number of years, with very few misses. What type of documentation would be needed?

    2 replies

    Employee
    February 17, 2025

    "He worked only briefly..."    If your adult son had less than $5050 of income during 2024 ---not counting any Social Security---you may be able to claim him as a qualifying relative and get the $500 credit for other dependents.   If he files a tax return of his own he will have to say on his own return that he can be claimed as someone else's dependent.

     

     

    If he earned at least $5050 during the time that he worked, no one can claim him as a dependent.

     

    IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

    https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent

     

    Qualifying relative

    • They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
    • They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
    • They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
    • They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
    • They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
    • They made less than $5050 in 2024 (not counting Social Security)
    • You provided more than half of their financial support.

    When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them. There may be other tax benefits you can get when you claim a dependent.

    Related Information:

     

    **Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
    February 17, 2025

    It depends.  Are you providing OVER half of his support and did he make less than $5,050? If so and the below apply, then yes. 

     

    To claim someone as a Qualifying Relative, they must be:

    • Your child ( including step children, adoptive children and foster children) or a descendent of them
    • Not a qualifying child of another taxpayer
    • Someone that you provided over half of their support for during the tax year
    • Has less than $5,050 in income (not counting social security)

    If you are sending him a check, then you can also complete this form and keep it for your records. That would be enough documentation.  If he is filing a return, he would need to check the box that says someone else can claim me as a dependent on their return. 

     

    Even if he does not live with you and you are able to claim him as a dependent, then you can file as Head of Household and also claim the $500 Other Dependent Credit

     

    If you are not providing over half of his support, then no, you cannot claim him even if you are sending him a monthly check.  This would basically be considered a gift. 

     

    (Edited 2/17/2025 @ 9:38AM PST) @tmsars4142

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