Is it better to claim my adult children or not?

[HelenaC]

Adding dependents could increase the amount you get back or owe less, but you can only claim your adult children if they qualify as your dependents.

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2016 taxes as long as they meet all of the following requirements :

• You provided more than half of their financial support. More info
• They made less than $4,050 in gross income during 2016 unless they are a qualifying child.
• They live with you or they are related to you.
• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren't (or won't be) claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• You are not being claimed as a dependent on someone else's return.

For additional information, click on Who can I claim as my dependent?