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Returning Member
posted Apr 9, 2022 12:52:22 PM

TurboTax says I can't claim my daughter as dependent

In 2021, my daughter finished college in Ohio and moved back to my home in CA in May.  I paid all her living expenses.  

 

She got a job & earned $9K.

 

TurboTax says I can't claim her as a dependent. I changed her to living with me the whole year. TT still says I can't claim her as my dependent.

 

Is TurboTax wrong?  If so, how do I override the software?

 

Thanks.

0 6 1098
1 Best answer
Level 15
Apr 9, 2022 1:24:23 PM


@JimmyC55 wrote:

she was 24


Since she was 24 she is no longer eligible to be claimed as a dependent using the Qualifying Child rules where her income is not a factor unless she provided over one-half of her own support.

She now can only be claimed under the Qualifying Relative rules where her income is a factor.  If she had gross income in 2021 of $4,300 or more no one can claim her as a dependent under the Qualifying Relative rules.

 

To be a Qualifying Relative -

1. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer. A child is not the qualifying child of any other taxpayer if the child's parent (or any other person for whom the child is defined as a qualifying child) is not required to file an income tax return or files an income tax return only to get a refund on income tax withheld.
2. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household.
3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $4,300 (social security does not count) in 2021
4. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.
5. The person must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S., Canada, or Mexico resident for some part of the year.
6. The person must not file a joint return with their spouse.

6 Replies
Level 15
Apr 9, 2022 12:58:19 PM

How old was she on 12/31/2021?  That would be the deciding factor on whether or not you can claim her as a dependent.

Returning Member
Apr 9, 2022 1:03:39 PM

I have the opposite problem.  Turbo tax gave me the credit.  Which I would gladly take as I believe I've spent more than the 500.00.  My daughter graduate from college while living at home.  She worked part-time all year and made 8K.  But from what I read it says they need to make under 4300.00.  Then I also saw (via Google) and "or have been a full-time student". 

So confused.  Hopefully someone here can clarify.

Returning Member
Apr 9, 2022 1:13:22 PM

she was 24

Returning Member
Apr 9, 2022 1:22:16 PM

She was 24 on 12/2021.

 

If I answer Yes to if she earned more than $4K, TurboTax says she is not a dependent.  

 

If I say no she did not ear over $4K, then it says she is a dependent.

 

I thought if I paid her expenses, I could claim her regardless if she had income >$4K.

 

Level 15
Apr 9, 2022 1:24:23 PM


@JimmyC55 wrote:

she was 24


Since she was 24 she is no longer eligible to be claimed as a dependent using the Qualifying Child rules where her income is not a factor unless she provided over one-half of her own support.

She now can only be claimed under the Qualifying Relative rules where her income is a factor.  If she had gross income in 2021 of $4,300 or more no one can claim her as a dependent under the Qualifying Relative rules.

 

To be a Qualifying Relative -

1. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer. A child is not the qualifying child of any other taxpayer if the child's parent (or any other person for whom the child is defined as a qualifying child) is not required to file an income tax return or files an income tax return only to get a refund on income tax withheld.
2. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household.
3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $4,300 (social security does not count) in 2021
4. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.
5. The person must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S., Canada, or Mexico resident for some part of the year.
6. The person must not file a joint return with their spouse.

Returning Member
Apr 9, 2022 1:39:40 PM

Thanks DoninGA! Not what I wanted to hear...but at least I know TT is correct that I can't claim her as a dependent.