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Someone who has been in a penal institution for any significant length of time is being supported by that institution. Money you have been sending would not even be close to half the support for the person. The money you give for incidentals is a gift, which is not deductible. You cannot claim the person as a dependent.
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qteepie420
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Claiming a dependent on your tax return increases your refund or decreases the taxes you owe.
The rules can be a tricky, however.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Can I claim myself as a dependent?Not according to IRS rules.
A dependent is someone else who depends on you for support.
However, you can usually claim one personal exemption for yourself, provided that another taxpayer is not entitled to claim you as a dependent.
For example, if your parent (or someone else) has claimed you as a dependent in prior years, it's a good idea to check with them before filing your tax return.
Can I claim my spouse as a dependent?No. The IRS doesn't let you claim your spouse as a dependent.
But don't worry. You're probably not missing out on a tax break.
When you file a return jointly, you and your spouse each receive an exemption from paying taxes on a portion of your income. The exemption is worth the same amount you would get for a dependent.
But what if my spouse and I use a filing status of married filing separately?
If you’re married filing separately, you can claim an exemption for your spouse if your spouse:
Certain relatives who qualify as your dependents don't necessarily need to live with you.
Here is a list of relatives who might qualify as your dependent, if they meet certain requirements (see below):
A relative must also:
*You can claim an exemption for a person who files a joint return if that person and his or her spouse file the joint return only to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid.
Can I claim someone who is not a relative?Possibly. A person not your relative may be claimed as your dependent if they:
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I hope this information has been helpful.
TurboTax Carissa
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