CAN I CLAIM MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDCHILDREN WHO LIVE WITH ME?

[culbert-loretta]

MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDCHILDREN MOVED IN WITH ME IN APRIL. SHE DOES NOT WORK I HAVE SUPPORTED THEM ALL SINCE THE MIDDLE OF APRIL.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

You can likely claim all of them since you have supported them for over half the year.   

Your daughter will be a qualifying relative; the grandchildren will be qualifying children.

To claim a grandchild as your dependent

When you enter the child’s name in My Info, you will be asked “What’s your relationship to  [child’s name]?”  

           Choose “another person”

            a drop down menu will appear that lets you choose grandchild

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2025 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They're related to you.
• 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're under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
  • No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
  • They lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
  • They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.

    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 $5200 in 2025 (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?

[culbert-loretta]

Thank you!