If your parent's only income was Social Security they were not required to file a tax return---but it sounds like they already filed. If they did not say in MY INFO that they can be claimed as someone else's dependent, when you try to e-file with their SSN on your return as a dependent, your e-file will be rejected and you will have to file by mail this year.
Does your parent meet the criteria to be claimed as a qualifying relative?
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 $5050 in 2024. (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.
Related Information:
**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.**
