Child dependant status

[Jason Wells1]

Good morning. My 19 year old son lives with me full time. He works full time as well. He only pays his phone bill and car insurance. I cover everything else from housing to food and clothes. Is he still considered a dependant and can I still claim him as one?

[SusanC6]

You may be able to claim your son as a qualifying dependent.  Your son in not eligible to be claimed as a child as he is over the age of 18.

The requirements for claiming a person as a qualifying dependent are as follows:

1. The taxpayer, you, provided over half of the individual's support.
2. The individual meets the relationship test.  Your son meets that test.
3. The individual was not a qualifying dependent of another person.
4. The individual had gross income of less than $4,700.

From reading your request, your son's income will be the question that drives the answer as to whether you can claim him as a dependent.

If your son meets the qualifying dependent rules, you could claim him and would be eligible for the Other Dependent Credit of $500.