Claim adult children

rmcrod · ‎February 17, 2026

Can I claim my daughter (attending Master's program) if she got married on December 27, 2025? Can her husband claim her as well?

xmasbaby0

A spouse can never be claimed as a dependent on a tax return, so no, her husband cannot claim her. The newlyweds can file a joint return and enter all of their combined income, etc on that return and get the MFJ standard deduction of $31,500 and would be able to use education credits (Lifetime Learning Credit or maybe student loan interest) on their tax return. Perhaps, depending on their income, they would be eligible for earned income credit.

Or....if you claim your daughter as a dependent, you would be the one who can use the Lifetime Learning Credit on your tax return, and on their joint return they would have to say that she can be claimed as someone else's dependent.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

MelindaS1

In addition to the above guidance, you can also use this IRS online quiz to determine if you are able to claim someone else as an eligible dependent on your tax return.

FAQ - Rules for dependents

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