In 2018, the personal exemption goes away, but there will be a taxable income limit of $4,150 (up from $4,050 in 2017) for qualifying relative dependents. Although there is no personal exemption, there is an ''Other Dependent Credit'' of $500 available for 2018.
The limit applies to Qualifying Relatives; there is no limit for Qualifying Children, see below.
Qualifying child
- They are related to you.
- They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
- They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
- They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
- They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
- No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
- They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
- They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.
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 are 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.
- They made less than $4,150 in 2018.
- You provided more than half of their financial support.
If your parent and/or dependent earns over $12,000 in 2018, they will file their own return.
[Edited January 30, 2018] | 6:55 PST
