Claim a child

[KALANEE]

I have lived with a friend, who is a single mom working full-time. I moved in to help out with child care, so she could still work and provide for her child. It's now been 2 + years that I've cooked, cleaned and provided care for a minimum  of 50 hours per week. I've never been paid besides a gift here and there. I use my food stamps for my food. But I'm broke, can I claim the child if I have no income for the year but have provided child care for free? Hope you can answer my question.  Thank You🤔

[xmasbaby0]

No, you cannot claim your friend's child.   Your friend is the parent who can claim her own child.  She is the one who is working and earning an income.   Actually, if your friend wanted to, since you live there and have no income, she could claim you as a qualified relative and get a $500 credit for other dependents by claiming you as a dependent.

[Vanessa A]

No, you cannot claim your friends child simply because you are providing child care whether or not you have income.  Her mother is the one providing for her financially and she lived with her for over half the year, so her mom gets to claim her. 

Also, there is no benefit to claiming someone if you have no income. 

However, what you are describing is bartering, and it would be considered taxable income.  It is possible that your friend should be claiming you as a household employee and pay the employer share of SS and Medicare taxes. So in reality, you should have taxable income, even if it is not cash, it would still be earned income and you could possibly (if the income is low enough) qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.