Non-dependent EITC

[nicolecrit87]

My nephew is disabled and I provide year round care and expenses, but he works two days a week and made just under $5k can he file his own return and get EITC? I've drafted my return and it says he is a "Non-dependent - for EIC/Dependent care only. What does this mean?

[DianeW777]

First, let's review some of the rules for claiming a dependent.  It's important to review because your nephew could be your qualifying relative. Review the answers to your questions to see if you made all the right selections.  These links may be helpful as well.

• Rules for claiming a dependent
• Who can I claim as a dependent?

Please provide additional details about why you think you cannot claim your nephew.  Then we can be more specific about the answer to your questions.

[nicolecrit87]

He works two days out the week and made $4900 for the year. I just want to be sure I'm filing correctly and checking all the correct boxes. I did look on the IRS site and saw that he doesn't need to file since he only made that $5k.

[Vanessa A]

If he made $4,900 for the year from working, then yes, he can file a return for the sole purpose of claiming a refund of any taxes he had withheld.  Since this income is from working, he could get $377 in EIC if he earned $4,900. 

So although he does not need to file, he may want to file just to claim the EITC.