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New Member
posted Jun 6, 2019 6:48:49 AM

Can i claim for caregiver credit?

Hi, I am married and my 65+ mother is living with me and my wife. My mother is retired already and is divorced, not disabled and still pretty healthy. We provide a living space for her without charging her anything because she doesn't like living alone.  

Can I claim for tax credit as a care giver for this situation? If so, please tell me how. Thanks.

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5 Replies
Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 6:48:51 AM

This is the USA forum.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 6:48:51 AM

Oh good grief.  I wish they would put some big logo up so users could discern whether they are on the U.S. or Canada site!
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://turbotax.intuit.ca/">http://turbotax.intuit.ca/</a>

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 6:48:52 AM

No, you cannot get the child and dependent care credit for having your mom live with you.  You could only "possibly" get that credit if you paid a caregiver to take care of her while you worked.  You say she is healthy, so the credit would not apply in your situation.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 6:48:54 AM

There is no federal "care giver credit". The situation your describe does  not qualify for any credit or deduction.

If your mother qualified as you dependent, you could claim her as such and get her $4050 exemption (deduction). You would also be able to deduct any medical expenses you paid for her*.

Dependent rules: https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Family/Rules-for-Claiming-a-Dependent-on-Your-Tax-Return/INF12139.html

*If your close relative cannot be your dependent because he/she had more than $4,050 of gross income, but otherwise would have qualified as your dependent (basically that you & other family members provided more than half his support), then you can include in your deductible medical expenses any qualifying medical expenses you paid on his/her behalf just as if he/she was your dependent.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 6:48:55 AM

OP appears to be asking from Canada.