topic Re: Dependent in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Dependent

SarahJ12 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:24:26 GMT

My sister lives with my mom in NJ. She works as a teacher and my mom is retired receiving SS pmts. She shoulders most of the expenses at home. Can she file as head of household? Or claim my mom as a dependent?

Re: Dependent

Corrlich44 — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:41:36 GMT

She can only claim your mother as a dependent if she is paying more than 50% of all household needs to live in that home, in every regard, which may be hard to do if your mother owns that home and has sufficient means to pay her own way.

Re: Dependent

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:42:10 GMT

If your mom's only income is Social Security, and your sister is providing over half her support, then your sister may be able to file as head of household and claim your mom as a qualifying relative dependent. She would get the $500 credit for other dependents.

Am I Head of Household?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894553-do-i-qualify-for-head-of-household

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2900097-what-is-a-qualifying-person-for-head-of-household

If you qualify as Head of Household, when you enter your marital status (single or married filing separately) into MyInfo, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.

IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3113432-who-can-i-claim-as-my-dependent

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4499708-what-is-the-500-credit-for-other-dependents-family-tax-credit

Re: Dependent

SarahJ12 — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:51:02 GMT

Thank you. If my sister does claim my mom as a dependent does my mom still need to file taxes on her SS earnings?

Re: Dependent

SarahJ12 — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:52:50 GMT

Thank you. They rent an apartment and pay 75/25 on rent and food (sister pays more).