MichaelDC
New Member

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Yes, you can claim your boyfriend as a dependent on your federal income taxes if that person meets the IRS definition of a "qualifying relative."

Don't worry about the word "relative".  That can be any unrelated person who passes the following tests concerning residency, income, support and status.

  • Do they live with you? Your boyfriend/girlfriend must live at your residence all year. However, if your living situation violates local law, you cannot claim that individual as a dependent. In some states, "cohabitation" by unmarried people is against the law.
  • Do they make less than $4,050? They cannot have a gross income of more than $4,050 and be claimed by you as a dependent. Gross income is all income in the form of money, property, and services that is not exempt from tax. Workers’ compensation doesn't count towards gross income.
  • Do you financially support them? You must provide more than half of their total support each year. 

The following requirements apply to all dependents:

  • Are they a citizen or resident? The person must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, a U.S. resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico. Many people wonder if they can claim a foreign-exchange student who temporarily lives with them. The answer is maybe, but only if they meet this requirement.
  • Are you the only person claiming them as a dependent? You can’t claim someone who takes a personal exemption for himself or claims another dependent on his own tax form.

 

TurboTax will ask you simple, plain-English questions about your situation and will determine for you who qualifies as a dependent on your tax return.






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