Can I claim my children on both State & Federal Taxes?

[Sua]

I am a widow. I filed for surviving spouse & my two kids as my dependents. However this was asked for my state tax return if I have Arizona-Only Dependents? Can I claim them both in State AND Federal?

[BillM223]

Yes, you usually claim them in both places. 

The reason for this funny question is found in the Arizona instructions on page 13 :

If you did not claim a dependent who is a student on your federal return in order to allow the student to claim a federal education credit on the student’s federal return, you may still claim the dependent on your Arizona return.

So as you can see, most people skip the question asking if you have any Arizona-only dependents, because few people do.
 

[Sua]

Thank you for this! Its my first time seeing that question and I got confused when it did say a student but it was saying for 65 or older who lives with me. I wasnt sure if I can put them as an arizona and arizona-only dependent, if this makes sense. 

[DawnC]

The two children you claimed on the federal return will automatically be dependents on your Arizona return.   You can answer No, to the Arizona Dependent Only question.   That would be for dependents you did not already claim on your federal return.   Since you claimed them on your federal return, your Arizona return will include them both as dependents too.    From the Arizona Dept of Revenue:

An Arizona resident may claim an exemption for a parent or ancestor of a parent who is not claimed for an other exemption or dependent credit, if all of the following apply:

1. The parent or ancestor of a parent lived in a principal residence for the entire taxable year.
2. The taxpayer paid more than one-half of the support and maintenance costs of the parent or ancestor of a parent during the taxable year.
3. The parent or ancestor of a parent was 65 years or older during the taxable year.
4. The parent or ancestor of a parent required assistance with activities of daily living, like getting in and out of bed or chairs, walking around, going outdoors, using the toilet, bathing, shaving, brushing teeth, combing hair, dressing, medicating or feeding.