You misunderstood the criteria regarding income. If your father had more than $5200 of income not counting Social Security, he cannot be claimed as anyone else's dependent. It is not "earned income" from working that is the only income that "counts" --- it is ANY other income besides Social Security. If he had $16,000 from a retirement account in 2025 he cannot be claimed as your dependent.
If they do not file a joint tax return -- and your mom had less than $5200 of income not counting Social Security you may be able to claim your mom as a qualifying relative dependent, for whom you will get the non-refundable $500 credit for other dependents.
Qualifying relative
- They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
- They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
- They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
- They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
- They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
- They made less than $5200 in 2025 (not counting Social Security)
- You provided more than half of their financial support.
When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them. There may be other tax benefits you can get when you claim a dependent.
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**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.**
