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My mother lives with us but is not a dependent because she had earnings of more than $4,300. I just want to clarify. Does social security count as earnings?

 
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2 Replies

My mother lives with us but is not a dependent because she had earnings of more than $4,300. I just want to clarify. Does social security count as earnings?

No.  Social Security benefits are not counted as income when claiming a dependent under the Qualifying Relative rules.

Hal_Al
Level 15

My mother lives with us but is not a dependent because she had earnings of more than $4,300. I just want to clarify. Does social security count as earnings?

Nontaxable Social security doesn't count as income, for the income test, but social security money she spends on her self does count as support not provided by you, for the support test. Money she puts into savings & investment does not count as support she spent on herself. Note that a parent is closely related so there is no requirement that she live with you at any time, during the year. But if you provided a home it helps your support case, unless they own the home you live in. 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

The IRS has a worksheet that can be used to help with the support calculation. See: http://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/content/globalmedia/teacher/worksheet_for_determining_support_4012.pdf The support value of a home is the fair market rental value, divided by the number of occupants.

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