Can you explain the standard tax deduction? Also I wasn’t able to claim my mom even though I fully take care of her since she’s not able to get SSI just yet.

[karlycroz]

My mom isn’t able to work since she has a lot of health problems that prevent her from working and we’re in the process of appealing her first denial of SSI. I’m not sure why I couldn’t claim her. Can you help? Can you explain what exactly the standard tax deduction is as well?

[xmasbaby0]

Explain Standard Deduction—What is it?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/credits-and-deductions/help/what-s-my-standard-deduction/00/26370

As for claiming your mother----if she had at least $4300 of income  in 2020--- not counting Social Security -- you cannot claim her.

If you can claim her you get a $500 credit for other dependents.   You do not get stimulus money for claiming her, and she does not get stimulus money herself, since dependents do not get stimulus checks.  So it is important to understand the rules before you try to claim her.

IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3113432-who-can-i-claim-as-my-dependent  

CREDIT FOR OTHER DEPENDENTS

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4499708-what-is-the-500-credit-for-other-dependents-family-tax-cre...

[DanaB27]

The Standard Deduction is a fixed dollar amount that reduces the amount of income you get taxed on. It is tax-free income that you get to keep before taxes are applied to the rest of your income. The Standard Deduction depends on the filing status and is adjusted each year.

The 2020 Standard Deduction is:

• Single - $12,400
• Married Filing Separately - $12,400
• Married Filing Jointly - $24,800
• Head of Household - $18,650

Please see the requirements to be able to claim you mom as a dependent on your tax return:

• Have been a U.S. citizen or resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico for at least part of the year
• Received less than $4,300 gross income (except nontaxable Social Security benefits) in 2020
• Received more than 50% of their support from you (see Worksheet to calculate support )
• Not be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer
• Not file a joint return with another taxpayer

Please answer the questions in TurboTax carefully when you enter he as dependent:

1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
2. Click "My Info" from the left side of your screen
3. Scroll down to "+Add a dependent"