topic I helped raise mg granddaughter last year. Her mother did not work in 2025. Can I claim her on my 2025 taxes? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

I helped raise mg granddaughter last year. Her mother did not work in 2025. Can I claim her on my 2025 taxes?

kimstaunton — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 17:10:16 GMT

I paid for her rent, internet and phone bill. Her lights, gas and trash are included in her rent bill since she lives in low-income housing. I also paid for her groceries when her SNAP benefits ran out. I do take care of her approximately 6 months out of the 2025 year. Can I claim her on my taxes now? And will their be any repercussions for her mom in the future, for filing taxes?

Re: I helped raise mg granddaughter last year. Her mother did not work in 2025. Can I claim her on my 2025 taxes?

DoninGA — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 17:13:15 GMT

How old is your granddaughter and is she a full time student?

Re: I helped raise mg granddaughter last year. Her mother did not work in 2025. Can I claim her on my 2025 taxes?

kimstaunton — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:35:32 GMT

She is 7 years old and a full time student.

Re: I helped raise mg granddaughter last year. Her mother did not work in 2025. Can I claim her on my 2025 taxes?

DoninGA — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:38:13 GMT

@kimstaunton You should be able to claim her as a dependent under the Qualifying Child rules if she meets all the rules.

To be a Qualifying Child -

1. The child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them.
2. The child must be (a) under age 19 at the end of the year, (b) under age 24 at the end of the year and a full-time student or (c) any age and permanently and totally disabled.
3. The child must have lived with you for more than half of the year. Temporary absences while away at college are considered living with you.
4. The child must not have provided more than half of his or her own support for the year.
5. If the child meets the rules to be a qualifying child of more than one person, you must be the person entitled to claim the child as a qualifying child.
6. The child must be a U.S. citizen or U.S., Canada or Mexico resident for some portion of the year.
7. The child must be younger than you unless disabled.