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New Member
posted Apr 11, 2025 4:23:07 PM

can I claim my retired mother that's receiving social security as a dependent on my taxes

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2 Replies
Level 15
Apr 11, 2025 4:26:38 PM

You may be able to claim her as a dependent under the Qualifying Relative rules if she meets all the requirements under the rules.

 

To be a Qualifying Relative -

1. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer. A child is not the qualifying child of any other taxpayer if the child's parent (or any other person for whom the child is defined as a qualifying child) is not required to file an income tax return or files an income tax return only to get a refund on income tax withheld.
2. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household.
3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $5,050 (social security does not count) in 2024
4. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.
5. The person must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S., Canada, or Mexico resident for some part of the year.
6. The person must not file a joint return with their spouse with the following exception -
You can claim a person as a dependent who files a joint return if that person and that person’s spouse file the joint return only to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid.

Expert Alumni
Apr 11, 2025 4:28:52 PM

Was that was her only income and did you pay for more than half of her support?  The requirements are below and social security income does not count as money made for the ''made less than $5050'' requirement.   

 

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 US 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 $5,050 in 2024.
  • You provided more than half of their financial support.