Adding dependents could increase the amount you get back or owe less, but you can only claim your adult children if they qualify as your dependents.
You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2016 taxes as long as they meet all of the following requirements :
- You provided more than half of their financial support. More info
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They made less than $4,050 in gross income during 2016 unless they are a qualifying child.
- They live with you or they are related to you.
- They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
- They aren't (or won't be) claimed as a dependent by someone else.
- They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
- You are not being claimed as a dependent on someone else's return.
For additional information, click on Who can I claim as my dependent?
