topic TurboTax won't let me choose parent as dependent in Deductions & credits

TurboTax won't let me choose parent as dependent

dd152 — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 20:37:36 GMT

We moved my stepfather to an assisted living (AL) home in October 2025 for medical reasons and paid for the first 3 months of his care. We qualify for a deduction as he is in AL due to requiring supervision due to a cognitive impairment. TurboTax won't let me list him as a dependent because he did not live with us for at least 6 months last year, however since he went from his home to AL he technically never lived with us. All the information I am reading says we can deduct the payment for his care at the AL home, but I can't figure out how to enter it in Turbo Tax. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Re: TurboTax won't let me choose parent as dependent

DoninGA — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 20:43:04 GMT

A qualifying relative does not have to live in your home for 6 months. Go back through the dependent section and review your answers. You should have chosen Other Person and then Father as the person you support.

To be a Qualifying Relative -

1. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer. A child is not the qualifying child of any other taxpayer if the child's parent (or any other person for whom the child is defined as a qualifying child) is not required to file an income tax return or files an income tax return only to get a refund on income tax withheld.
2. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household.
3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $5,200 (social security does not count) in 2025
4. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.
5. The person must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S., Canada, or Mexico resident for some part of the year.
6. The person must not file a joint return with their spouse with the following exception -
You can claim a person as a dependent who files a joint return if that person and that person’s spouse file the joint return only to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid.

Re: TurboTax won't let me choose parent as dependent

dd152 — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:01:44 GMT

It must be the income level that is preventing me from listing him as a dependent. So, even though he is in an assisted living home with cognitive impairment, I can't deduct what we spent because of his income level?

Re: TurboTax won't let me choose parent as dependent

DoninGA — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:04:09 GMT

@dd152 If his income in 2025 was $5,200 or more (Social Security does not count) then you cannot claim him as a dpendent.

Re: TurboTax won't let me choose parent as dependent

MonikaK1 — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:16:12 GMT

In addition to the information shared y @DoninGA - see also this TurboTax help article on the rules for Other Dependents. A stepparent meets the Relationship test.

Related or not, the person you’re claiming as a qualified relative must also fit these criteria:

They haven’t already been claimed for the Child Tax Credit or Credit for Other Dependents, either by you or by anyone else.
They have an SSN, ITIN, or ATIN issued on or before the due date of your return (including extensions).
They are a US citizen, US resident alien, or US national.
They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
They either lived with you for the entire year or are related to you.
They have less than $5,200 gross income this year (nontaxable Social Security doesn't count).
You provided more than half of their financial support (more info).

@dd152