I am my significant others' payee, do i claim him on my taxes?

[xsweettoothchefx]

My significant other is on SSI. For the year 2016, I have been his legal Payee. I have not recieved a tax form from Social Security, but do I claim him on my taxes? I have already received my federal tax return via direct deposit.

[bwa · Accepted solution]

Being his payee does not have any effect on a tax status.  To claim a non-relative (distant relative such as a cousin, or anyone else not related to you) as a dependent, they must live with you all 12 months of the tax year. In addition to being a citizen of the US or a resident of the US, Canada or Mexico:

• you must provide more than 1/2 of the individuals support,
• they must not earn more than $4,050 in 2016 in gross income (social security doesn't count)
• they are not a qualifying child of another taxpayer, and
• they must not file a joint return with another

Dependents are added under the personal info tab.

While a non-relative may be a dependent, they will not qualify you for Head of Household status or EITC.