Can I claim my roommate as a dependent?

[jaredwillliams00]

My roommate didn't have a job for the the year and i paid all his portion of the rent. Can I claim him as a dependent or can I claim head of household?

[MargaretL · Accepted solution]

Probably not... You can claim your roommate if his gross income is less than $4050, he lived with you for the entire 2016 year and you provided more than half of his entire support, not just the rent. (food, education, medical expenses).

Chances are, the parents may be claiming him if they provided more than half of his support. 

[kbwing]

Is Gross Income the amount on Ln 22 of 1040 which shows as Total Income?  Or, in this case, my roommate has a Sch C which has Gross Receipts > than $4,050?