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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 6:17:45 PM

I supported my sister's kids this year but I didn't adopt or Foster them can i claim them and what do I put them as if I can?

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:17:50 PM

You may be able to claim them as your dependent's under the Qualifying Relative rules if they meet all the requirements.

In TurboTax when adding a dependent, for the children, on the Relationship screen use the option Another person and from the dropdown choose Niece or Nephew as appropriate.

To be a Qualifying Relative -

1. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer. A child is not the qualifying child of any other taxpayer if the child's parent (or any other person for whom the child is defined as a qualifying child) is not required to file an income tax return or files an income tax return only to get a refund on income tax withheld.

2. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household. 

3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $4,050 (social security does not count) in 2017

4. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.

5. The person must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S., Canada, or Mexico resident for some part of the year.

6. The person must not file a joint return with their spouse.

4 Replies
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:17:46 PM

Did they live in your home for over one-half the year?

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:17:47 PM

and did your Sister? Did she have any income?

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:17:49 PM

Yes they lived with me and no she didn't have any income

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:17:50 PM

You may be able to claim them as your dependent's under the Qualifying Relative rules if they meet all the requirements.

In TurboTax when adding a dependent, for the children, on the Relationship screen use the option Another person and from the dropdown choose Niece or Nephew as appropriate.

To be a Qualifying Relative -

1. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer. A child is not the qualifying child of any other taxpayer if the child's parent (or any other person for whom the child is defined as a qualifying child) is not required to file an income tax return or files an income tax return only to get a refund on income tax withheld.

2. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household. 

3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $4,050 (social security does not count) in 2017

4. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.

5. The person must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S., Canada, or Mexico resident for some part of the year.

6. The person must not file a joint return with their spouse.