You can claim as many dependents that you have as long as
they meet the IRS guidelines for dependents. I have included the tests
that the IRS use in determining whether or not a dependent is either a
Qualifying Child or a Qualifying Relative. If your dependents meet either
one of these tests, you can claim them on your 2016 income tax return.
If you are having problems e-filing, then yes, you can
certainly print, sign, date and mail in your income tax return.
Requirements for
Qualifying Child
A parent may claim
their child if they meet either the qualifying child or qualifying relative
test as outlined below:
Qualifying Child
These 5 tests (all of
them), will qualify a child as a dependent:
-
Relationship: They must be your child, adopted
child, foster-child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these
(grand or nephew).
-
Residence: They had to live with you in the
same residence for more than half the year.
-
Age: Must be under age 19 or under 24
and a full-time student for at least 5 months of the year. They can be any
age if they are totally and permanently disabled.
-
Support: child did not provide more than
half of their own support during the year.
-
Joint
Support: The child cannot
file a joint return for the year.
Qualifying Relative
These 4 tests (all of
them) will qualify a relative as a dependent:
- Not Qualifying Child: They are not your
or another taxpayer’s “qualifying child” (above)
-
Gross
Income: Dependent has to earn
less than $4,050 in 2016.
-
Total
Support: You provide more
than half of the total support for the year.
-
Member
of Household or Relationship: The
person (a friend, girlfriend, non blood relative) must live with you all
year as a member of your household or be one of the relatives that doesn’t
have to live with you (mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, stepmother,
stepfather, your child, stepchild, foster child, adopted child, etc) Note:
this list is not exhausted.
