turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

stravoski
New Member

Can me and my sister claim my mom on each of our returns if we both help with her living expenses?

 
x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

3 Replies

Can me and my sister claim my mom on each of our returns if we both help with her living expenses?

No.  If neither of you are providing over one-half of her total support then neither of you can claim her as a dependent.

 

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 $4,300 (social security does not count) in 2020
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.

 

 

stravoski
New Member

Can me and my sister claim my mom on each of our returns if we both help with her living expenses?

What if we are each providing over one half of her expenses? Equally. 

Hal_Al
Level 15

Can me and my sister claim my mom on each of our returns if we both help with her living expenses?

Only one of you can claim a dependent.

 

If no one person (or married couple) provides 50% of the support (for example your siblings are also sending support), then a "multiple support agreement” (IRS Form 2120) can be used, to allow you to claim the dependent. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2120.pdf

 

You and your sibling simply need to agree on who will claim her.  You can also alternate every year.

 

You can't each be providing more than half of her expenses.  At best you can each be providing exactly half her expenses.  But even that is unlikely, if she has any money of her own. 

 

What about the 2020 stimulus ($1200 + $600)?  Did she already get that.  If not, it may be best if nobody claims her on a 2020 tax return, so she can file for the $1800. 

Unlock tailored help options in your account.

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question