Can I claim my teenage daughter as a dependent if she files a return and claims her child as a dependent?

[ktowns]

My teenage daughter lives in my home and does not pay more than half of her own support.  She worked part-time and has a 13 month-old child.  She is planning to file a return and claim her daughter as a dependent.  Can she do so if I claim her as a dependent on my return?

[VolvoGirl]

No she can not claim a depdndent on her return since you can claim your daughter on your return.  She has to check the box saying she can be claimed on someone else's return.

[Hal_Al]

No. A dependent cannot have a dependent of her own. A child can actually be the Qualifying Child of more than one relative in the household. You are allowed to decide between you which one of you will claim the child. It may be worthwhile to prepare returns both ways and see which way the family comes out best. If you can’t agree, the IRS rules say the child’s parent gets first choice.
That said, there is also a rule that says if a person qualifies as a dependent, she is  not allowed to claim herself or a dependent of her own.

[xmasbaby0]

A dependent cannot have a dependent.  You can claim your teenage daughter as your dependent, and you can claim her child as your dependent.  You should explain the IRS rules to her, so she does not file incorrectly.  If she files first -- erroneously-- you can still file your return on paper and mail it claiming both of them.  Hopefully she will understand the rules--unless she is being stubborn about it, as teenagers are prone to be.  If she files incorrectly, the IRS will eventually sort this out and she will face repayment of the refund and penalties.

IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3113432-who-can-i-claim-as-my-dependent  

[Hal_Al]

We haven't fully established that the daughter qualifies as the poster's dependent. We don't know her age ("teenage" includes 19), her student status and her income.

[xmasbaby0]

Good point--more questions needed.

[ktowns]

She is 17.  She graduated high school last May and made more than $4050 last year.

[Hal_Al]

Then you are correct, whether she qualifies as your dependent hinges on  whether she paid more than half of her own support. You said she didn't.
You may claim her and her child.

She cannot claim her child unless you do not claim her. And even then, it's iffy if she is even allowed to.