Can I still claim my elderly parent as a dependent and also file her taxes. I provide total care for her.

[yogibear_11]

How is it possible when I do her taxes that she will be getting a refund when no taxes were paid?

[Lisa995]

What type of income does she have to report?

In the personal information section of her return, did you select that she can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return?

[yogibear_11]

IRA from which I took a $5000 withdrawal to help with her care instead of the usual $1000. Figured she is 88 why not use her money to help with her care.

[Opus 17]

To be your dependent, your parent must have less than $4050 of taxable income, and you must provide more than half her total living expenses.

Social security is not taxable, but investment income, 401K withdrawals, pensions, etc. usually are.  I can't think of any way that she would qualify for a refund and still be your dependent, unless she had pension income (less than $4050) but that pension had tax withheld.  (If it did, she would get that withholding back.)

As mentioned, you need to check the box on her return for "I can be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer."

[fanfare]

Your parent's income of $5,000 exceeds the IRS limit of $4,050. You cannot claim her as a dependent.

Next year, take out $4,000 not $5,000. (Or her calculated RMD, if that is greater)

See IRS Pub 501 Table 3 at www.irs.gov for who can be a dependent on your tax return.