You can claim
a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2018 taxes as
long as they meet the following requirements:
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. More info
When
you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure
you can claim them.
If you can claim him as a dependent, he will probably need to amend his return. If you are able to claim him , he will need to have checked the box that someone else can claim him on their tax return (giving him a reduced standard deduction). He may not have checked this box when he prepared his return. If he did not, you will need to have him amend his return before your can file yours. If this is the case, you can file an extension for your return and pay any balance due with the extension.
