Do I have to claim "rent" paid by mom on my taxes as income?

[dfigel1957]

My mom is 80 and has Alzheimer's.  She has lived with me for the last 3 years.  I just started pulling "rent" money from her personal account to help offset the expenses for her.  I have been paying her co-pays, prescriptions, clothing, food, etc.  When my personal income dropped 52% I had to start pulling money from her to cover expenses, on top of the ones listed above there is utilities that have increased, etc.
Between her social security and retirement monies every month, she doesn't qualify as a dependent.

[ToddL · Accepted solution]

As you describe this situation, you aren't charging her rent and would not need to report these payments as rental income.

You appear to be using her money to pay her personal expenses, to include a portion of the cost for her housing (e.g. utilities, repairs maintenance, insurance). This would not be treated as rental real estate income, but simply the facilitation of her daily existence and essential functions.