Claiming a dependent

[Hanna00]

I’m wondering if I can claim my boyfriend who has been living with me as a dependent on my return? He receives food stamps but no other income.

[xmasbaby0]

Maybe.    If he lived with you the whole year and had less than $5050 of income not counting Social Security, you may be able to claim him for the $500 credit for other dependents.

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $5050 in 2024 (not counting Social Security)
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them. There may be other tax benefits you can get when you claim a dependent.

Related Information:

• What does "financially support another person" mean?

[DawnC]

Here are the qualifications for claiming him as a dependent as a qualifying relative.  

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a US citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $5,050 in 2024.
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

 The food stamps don't count as income.   When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them, so if you support him, go ahead and add him and answer the questions.