Can't claim my grandchild as a dependent.

[dhodge1313]

Turbo tax home and business will not let me claim my grandchild as a dependent. All rules were good.

[CatinaT1]

Why does it tell you you can't claim her?

A dependent must meet the requirements of a qualifying child or a qualifying relative in order for you to claim them on your tax return. 

The tests for a qualifying child are:

• Relationship: Must be your child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (grand or nephew).
• Residence: Must have the same residence for more than half the year.
• Age: Must be under age 19 or under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months. They can be any age if they are totally and permanently disabled.
• Support: The dependent must not have provided more than half of their own support during the year.
• Joint Support: The child cannot file a joint return for the year.

The tests for a qualifying relative are:

• Qualifying Child: They are not the “qualifying child” of another taxpayer or your “qualifying child.”
• Gross Income: The dependent being claimed earns less than $5,050 in 2024.
• Total Support: You provide more than half of the total support for the year.
• Member of Household or Relationship: The person (a friend, girlfriend, non-blood relative) must live with you all year as a member of your household or be related to you.

TurboTax software will ask you simple questions and give you the tax deductions and credits for which you are eligible based upon your answers.

See also this TurboTax Help article: Who Can I Claim as a Tax Dependent?

[dhodge1313]

Thanks for your answer. I have reviewed all those rules and we still qualify for a deduction.

I can't see a reason for nondependent statis. We have custody.

[CatinaT1]

What is TurboTax telling you as to why she isn't a qualified dependent? I would review your entries in the My Information section, you might have missed a checkbox or something. We can't see your return so it's hard to say.

[dhodge1313]

says she is nondependent

[dhodge1313]

Solved. I entered her ss# with hyphens. Reentered without and now she is a dependent.

[AmyC]

Let's go through the questions one at a time. Please review your answers with mine.

1. Do you financially support someone, yes
2. Who do you support? another person, drop down box appears, select grandchild
3. Enter name and birth date
4. How many months with you? The whole year - if they were less than the whole year, they would not qualify
5. How many in the US? The whole year
6. Did they pay for more than half of their living expenses?  No, they did not pay for themselves, you did.
7. Did a relative help? No
8. Good news, you get a tax break

[dhodge1313]

Thank you for help. I found that my problem was an entry format. When entering ss# don't include hyphens.