topic Re: dependents in Deductions & credits

dependents

tazman59 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:57:31 GMT

My wife's niece and her daughter lived with us all last year. Can I claim them as dependents. She didn't help with any bills and only paid an average of $50 a month. They moved out at then end of the year. She was a waitress, so I have no idea what she made last year.

Re: dependents

xmasbaby0 — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 16:00:24 GMT

"I have no idea what she made last year."

The fact that she did not help with expenses does not tell us enough to determine whether she can be claimed as a dependent. If she had more than $4700 of income--not counting any Social Security---then she cannot be claimed as your dependent.

Re: dependents

MarilynG1 — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 16:01:02 GMT

Sounds like you provided over half of their support, but you need to confirm with them. Your wife's niece may very well have filed her own tax return, and claimed her daughter as her dependent.

If you tried to claim them (you need their SSN's), your Efile would be rejected in that case.

Here's more info on Claiming a Dependent.