Are you having a hard time deciding whether or not to claim your adult child as a dependent on your tax return? Here’s some helpful information about claiming a dependent that can help you decide.
When it comes to filing your taxes, claiming your child as a dependent can be beneficial in many ways. According to the IRS, your adult son or daughter may qualify to be claimed as a dependent if he or she is younger than 19 at the end of the year and lived with you (the taxpayer) for more than half the year, if he or she was a student younger than 24, or if he or she is permanently and totally disabled. You cannot claim a child as a dependent if they are not a U.S. citizen, if someone else has claimed them as a dependent, or if they are filing jointly with someone else (e.g. a married adult son).
When an adult child is considered dependant
If your child is a full-time student, you can claim them as a dependent on your tax return until they turn 24. By having a qualifying child as a dependent you could qualify for valuable credits that lower your tax liability as well as a number of refundable tax credits. If your adult child is not a student, you may still be able to claim them as a Qualifying Relative Dependent.
When a child is considered independent
If your adult child is 19 years old at the end of a tax year, not a student, not permanently and totally disabled, and earns over $4,300 (in 2021) then they are considered independent.
Everyone’s situation is unique, and there is no right or wrong approach when it comes to deciding to file your adult child as a dependent. It may seem confusing, but we’re here to help!
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