Can you claim a dependent who is not related to you?

taxxjaxx111 — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:01:14 GMT

Re: Can you claim a dependent who is not related to you?

Mike9241 — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 23:13:19 GMT

Yes if all these rules are met

Qualifying Relative and eligible to be claimed as a dependent the rules are:

lived in your household the entire year. temporary absences are ignored
gross income for 2023 less than $4,700
you provide over ½ their support
isn’t a qualifying child of another taxpayer
you can’t be claimed as a dependent
the person must be unmarried or if married must not file a joint return unless they are only filing to claim a refund. Also, there must be no tax liability for either the dependent or the dependent’s spouse if they would have filed separate returns
a US citizen, resident alien or national or a resident of Canada or Mexico