Who Really Qualifies as a Dependent for Taxes?

How many dependents do you really have? Who can really be counted as a dependent? These are some of the most common questions that all taxpayers have. Can you count all of your children, live-in help, or perhaps a dog or other family pet? What about a friend who decides to crash at your place and basically mooch off you the entire year; can he or she be counted as a dependent?
As far as the IRS is concerned, there are two different kinds of dependents but there are dozens of scenarios that can fall under these two categories. There are also different rules for each type. The first type of dependent is classified as a qualifying child. The second type is a qualifying relative.
A qualifying child must be related to you, either by birth or adoption, or be a step or foster child. You must also provide more than half of the child’s total financial support and you can be the only person claiming that child on your return. To be a dependent the child must also be 18-years-old or younger, or if he or she is a full-time student, younger than 24-years-old.
The rules for being counted as a qualifying relative are much different. First, if your relative is a blood relative then he or she does not have to live with you in order to be counted. However, he or she must not provide more than half of his or her own support and that person cannot make more than $4000.
For a person who is not a blood relative to qualify as a dependent – like a lifelong friend who is down on his/her luck, or just plain lazy, or even your significant other – that person must live with you the entire year and their income must be less than $4,000 for the entire year. No one else can claim the person and you have to provide more than half of his or her financial support.
How to Travel the World in Retirement
How to Travel the World in Retirement Retirement: that long-pursued time in life where you get to leave the workday behind and enjoy the fruits of your many years of labor, for much longer than two or three weeks a year. Most people look forward to retirement and all the free time they have to…
Tax Tip That Could Save You Big in 2017
Tax Tip That Could Save You Big in 2017 Just about everyone enjoys finding new ways to save on taxes. Even though the tax season is winding down for many, that doesn’t mean you should put taxes completely out of mind. In fact, making important tax decisions right now can pay huge dividends later on…
Most Expensive Places to Live in the World
Where are the most expensive places to live in the world? There are a lot of expensive places to call home throughout the world. If you live in the United States perhaps you feel that your home state or city is one of the worst places to reside when it comes to expenses. For example,…
Could This Be the Jet Craft of the Future?
Jet Craft of the Future There’s no question that advances in the travel industry have played a huge role in how the business world operates. As technology has developed and moved, especially in the aircraft industry the ability and ease to conduct global business has been greatly enhanced. While aircraft technology continues to move forward…