Can I claim my daughter and girlfriend if she is receiving WIC?

needtaxhelp2016 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 06:41:01 GMT

My girlfriend and I live together with our 1 year old daughter. I work full time and go to school part time. My girl friend is going to school and has not received a salary from any job in 2016. Although my girlfriend receives WIC benefits, I cover all expenses for rent, food, etc. Am I able to claim both my girlfriend and our daughter and file under head of household? I am not sure if receiving WIC benefits keep me from claiming one or both.

Yes, if they both meet the qualifications to be your depe...

Patrice — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 06:41:04 GMT

Yes, if they both meet the qualifications to be your dependents.

Your girlfriend can be claimed as a dependent if she passes some of the same tests used to determine if your child or relative can be claimed as a dependent.

First, your girlfriend cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.

That’s the first phase of tests.

If she and your daughter passes those rules, these four “tests” will need to be passed to qualify as a dependent. She and your daughter:

Is not a “qualifying child” of a taxpayer. The IRS has specific qualifying child rules based on relationship, age, residency, and joint return
Earned less than $4,050 in taxable income (amount of the personal exemption) in 2016
Did not provide over half of his or her own support
Lived with you all year as a member of your household

As you can see, the tests make it impossible for someone to be claimed as a dependent on two returns. Either you provided their support or someone else did.

If your girlfriend and daughter passes these tests, TurboTax makes it easy to claim the dependent exemption by asking simple questions about your life.

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Can I claim my daughter and girlfriend if she is receiving WIC?

Yes, if they both meet the qualifications to be your depe...