Q. So the question is if I didn't put them as dependent on my W-4* from the military can I still claim them?
A. Yes. What you claim on your W-4 is only an estimate for the purpose of tax withholding. It does not lock you in to what you can claim, when you actually file taxes..
But, you must meet the full rules (see above). One critical rule, for a "Qualifying Child" dependent, being that you must live with them for more than half the year. "Helping with them financially" is not enough.
A person can still be a Qualifying relative dependent, if not a Qualifying Child, if he meets the 6 tests for claiming a dependent:
- Closely Related OR live with the taxpayer ALL year
- His/her gross taxable income for the year must be less than $4700 (2023) ($4400 for 2022).
- The taxpayer (you) must have provided more than 1/2 his support
In either case:
- He must be a US citizen or resident of the US, Canada or Mexico
- He must not file a joint return with his spouse or be claiming a dependent of his own
- He must not be the qualifying child of another taxpayer, e.g. his parents.
*A W-4 is filled out by the employee when the employee accepts a new job or at any time after that when the employee wants to change filing status or withholding allowances. A W-2 is filled out by the employer at the end of each tax year for the employee and is a statement of income and withholdings for that tax year.
Reference: https://smartasset.com/taxes/w-2-vs-w-4
