Mother-in-Law

[Ish1]

Can I claim my mother-in-law and my paraplegic brother-in-law as our dependents if they live with my wife and I?

[xmasbaby0]

You might be able to claim them as qualifying relative dependents.   If your MIL or BIL had less than $5050 of income not counting any Social Security, you may be able to claim each of them 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?

[LindaS5247]

In order to claim them they must meet the following requirements for a qualifying relative:

These requirements are as follows:

1. They must have lived with you more than half of the year (these exceptions apply).
2. You must have provided more than half of her support
3. They must not file a joint return with anyone else (unless to claim a refund of taxes paid or withheld).
4. They must be ‌US citizens.
5. They must not be claimed on anyone else's tax return.
6. They must have made less than $5,050 in 2024. (This generally does not include Social Security Benefits).

Click here for additional information regarding dependents.

Click here for additional  information on who you can claim as a dependent.