The rule is if a child CAN be claimed the child has to say on their own return that he can be claimed---even if the person who can claim him does not do it. Your 17 year old can very likely be claimed as your dependent and will fit the criteria of qualifying child. Or does he live on his own without having at least half his support from you? WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT? You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2019 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:Qualifying child • They are related to you. • They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else. • They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident. • They are not filing a joint return with their spouse. • They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students). No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children • They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).Qualifying relative • They don't have to be related to you (despite the name). • They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else. • They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident. • They are not filing a joint return with their spouse. • They lived with you the entire year. • They made less than $4300 (not counting Social Security) • You provided more than half of their financial support. More infoWhen you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.Related Information: • Does a dependent have to live with me? • What does "financially support another person" mean? • Can I claim a newborn baby?

Question

Do I have to claim my 17 yr old as my dependent? If I don’t will he be eligible for future stimulus checks?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
January 3, 2021
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xmasbaby0

Employee

The rule is if a child CAN be claimed the child has to say on their own return that he can be claimed---even if the person who can claim him does not do it.

Your 17 year old can very likely be claimed as your dependent and will fit the criteria of qualifying child. Or does he live on his own without having at least half his support from you?

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2019 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They are related to you.

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).

No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children

• They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They lived with you the entire year.

• They made less than $4300 (not counting Social Security)

• You provided more than half of their financial support. More info

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.

Related Information:

• Does a dependent have to live with me?

• What does "financially support another person" mean?

• Can I claim a newborn baby?

**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.**

macuser_22

Employee

No and no.

No, you do not have to claim a dependent.

And No, the child cannot claim him/her self if he/she COULD be claimed even it not actually claimed.

The question on tax return does not ask if yiu were claimed, it asks if you COULD be c;aimed.

That is why TurboTax has two questions 1) CAN you be claimed and 2) Were you actually claimed.

If yes to #1 and no to #2 then a the child might be able to claim certain educational credits that would not be available if actually claimed as a dependent.

Either way, the child would not be eligible for a stimulus payment.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**