Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Mar 24, 2021 10:25:56 AM

Can I claim my previously incarcerated child as a dependent?

She has been an inmate for 7 years and  released in Nov. 2020 and lives with me.  I paid $200 monthly for her while she was incarcerated.

0 1 211
1 Replies
Level 8
Mar 24, 2021 2:46:17 PM

Your child probably does not qualify as your dependent for 2020. Even though you sent her $200 monthly while she was incarcerated and she lived with you in November and December, that's probably not half of her total support for the year.

 

To claim your adult daughter (I'm assuming), she would have to make less than $4,300 (yes) and you must generally provide more than half of her total support during the calendar year. The state probably provided more than half her support for ten months (January - October) by providing her with food and lodging, so you could not claim her.

 

You can double check with IRS app Whom May I Claim as a Dependent?