Can a person claim a dependent (child) on her tax return if she is claimed as dependent on her parents' tax return?

[j1dias]

Here is what I want to do - claim my daughter as dependent on my tax return. If I do that, TurboTax does not allow her to claim her child as her dependent. It says that if she is claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return, she can't claim dependents on her own tax return. Is this correct? Thanks.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

A dependent cannot claim their own dependent.   If you are claiming your daughter as your dependent then she cannot claim her own dependent.  You can claim them both if you are supporting them.

As for whether you can claim your daughter---you and she have to follow the rules ---if she CAN be claimed then she must say on her own return that she can be claimed as someone else's dependent.   Your daughter might fit the criteria to be claimed as your qualifying child or she might be your qualifying relative.  We have not been told how old she was or if she was a student in 2022.

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2022 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They're related to you.
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They're under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• They lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
• They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $4,400 in 2022.
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them. There may be other tax benefits you can get when you claim a dependent.

[ThomasM125]

Yes, that is correct. If a person claims dependents on their tax return, they can't be claimed as a dependent on anyone's else's return. You can learn more by using this link:  Claiming dependents