Why am I not getting deduction this yr for paying over 50% of adult disabled (living on her own) daughter's expenses

[susannebcooper]

She is on SSI disability, has rare disease and is a cancer patient. I pay the expenses, do not give her cash.

[Vanessa A]

If your daughter is living on her own, and you are claiming her as a dependent, the credit would only be a $500 Other Dependent credit.  This is a non-refundable credit that you must have a tax liability to reduce. 

If you do have a tax liability and she does qualify as a dependent, then you can go back and double check your answers to be sure you answered them accurately. 

[xmasbaby0]

IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

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

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 $5050 in 2024 (not counting Social Security)
• 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.

Related Information:

• What does "financially support another person" mean?
• What is a "qualifying person" for Head of Household?

[Opus 17]

You can also claim a deduction on schedule A for medical expenses you pay for a dependent, but whether or not that will result in any actual tax savings depends on your total filing picture.