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If you follow the interview screens you will find your answer ...
A dependent must meet the requirements of a qualifying child or a qualifying relative in order for you to claim them on your tax return.
The tests for a qualifying child are:
The tests for a qualifying relative are:
TurboTax software will ask you simple questions and give you the tax deductions and credits for which you are eligible based upon your answers.
See also these TurboTax Helps.
Who Can I Claim as a Tax Dependent?
Can I claim my relative or friend as my dependent?
You may also want to view IRS Publication 501.
Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information
A stepchild is treated the same as your own child.
Just being your stepdaughter does not make her your dependent. For you to claim her as a dependent she has to meet all of the tests that Critter-3 listed for either a qualifying child or a qualifying relative.
Q. Can i claim my granddaughter as a dependent?
A. Yes, a grandchild meets the relationship test for either a "Qualifying Child" dependent or a "Qualifying Relative".
Q. Or is she in the Other category?
A. In taxes, "other" has two meanings. In the TurboTax interview, you answer other. The dropdown menu will include grandchild. A grandchild can be your "qualifying child", for the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and EIC. But, if she is over 16, you will only get the "Other dependent credit" (up to $500, not the CTC (up to $2000).
Q. is a stepdaughter a dependent?
A. A stepchild is the same as a biological child for tax purposes. So, yes, a stepchild meets the relationship test for either a "Qualifying Child" dependent or a "Qualifying Relative". So, as others have said, you need to meet all the dependent rules (not just the relationship test) for her to be your dependent.
Even if you can claim her as a qualifying child dependent, there are additional rules to meet to claim the child tax credit or the Earned Income Credit (EIC)
@cynxmart21 simply use this IRS tool to determine the answer for your scenario. will take no more than 5 minutes to answer the questions
https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/whom-may-i-claim-as-a-dependent
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