There are a number of requirements for being able to claim family members as dependents. I've shown these below. You will have to determine if these requirements are met. If they are met you may file an amended tax return. However, you may not claim them as dependents if someone else has a superior claim.
First, there are particular requirements to claim someone as a dependent child:
You can receive a dependent exemption for each qualifying child, who could include:
- Your child, stepchild or foster child
- Brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, stepsister
- Or a child or grandchild of any of these
To qualify as a dependent child, the child must live with you more than half of the year, and be under age 19 (or under age 24 if a full-time student) at the end of 2014. That's defined as attending school full time for at least part of five calendar months of the year – whether at home or away at school.
If your child provides more than half of his or her own support, you cannot claim the child as a dependent.
To determine if a child qualifies as your dependent, complete the Personal Info section in TurboTax.
If a relative does not qualify to be a dependent child, they might still be a dependent other relative:
Many families provide homes for relatives such as parents or grandparents, or give financial support to relatives who live across town or across the country.
Here's a list of the people considered to be relatives who might qualify as dependents even if they don't live with you:
- Children, grandchildren, and stepchildren
- Siblings, including half and step siblings
- Parent and grandparents
- Stepparents
- Aunts and uncles
- Nieces and nephews
- Fathers-in-law, mothers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law
They must ALSO meet these qualifications for the year:
- Have been a citizen or resident of the United States, or a resident of Canada or Mexico.
- Did not file a joint income tax return with anyone else.
- Received more than half his or her support from you.
- Had less than $3,950 of income for the entire year. (Generally that amount does not include Social Security benefits.)
Note: If your child is not a qualifying child for 2014 because he or she does not meet the age/student test or the principal place of residence test, you may still be able to claim a dependent exemption for the child as your qualifying relative, but only if he or she has gross income under $3,950 and you provide more than half of his or her support.
Answers are correct to the best of my ability but do not constitute legal or tax advice.
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