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.
What’s the Deal With U.S. Corporate Taxes?
What’s the Deal With U.S. Corporate Taxes? There has been a lot of back-and-forth amongst lawmakers and political pundits in the media lately regarding U.S. companies switching their addresses to foreign locations in order to avoid corporate taxes. One side claims that there is nothing wrong with such deals, while many democratic lawmakers, including President…
Is the Government Going to Tax You for Using the Internet?
Is the Government Going to Tax You for Using the Internet? Taxes, taxes and more taxes: that appears to be the government’s answer for just about every problem we face in society. There seems to be no end to the list of things that the government wants to tax. Now it seems that Americans could…
Expecting An Audit? Expect to Wait
Expecting An Audit? Expect to Wait Have you ever been audited by the IRS? Have you been told that you might be audited soon? Are you waiting to be audited right now? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then chances are you have either played the waiting game or you’re playing it…
Seven Signs Your Noncompliance Will Be Considered Willful
Seven Signs Your Noncompliance Will Be Considered Willful There are many ways taxpayers can get the attention of the IRS. Although a lot of people make innocent mistakes when they file their tax returns, there are others who willfully look for ways to skip out on the taxes they owe. The IRS does treat those…