Paid more than Half but no considered dependent

[chcalissie620]

I already filed my step daughter's return and said that she could be claimed as a dependent on our return.  Now I'm doing our return and it says she can't be claimed as a dependent.  She only worked part-time and was going to school part-time, but she made $13,210.  So is that why I can't claim her as a dependent?  Do I need to do an amended return for her?

Claudia H. Smith

[ColeenD3]

Yes. She makes too much money to be a Qualifying Relative.

For her to be a qualifying child, she must meet these qualfications. 

Qualifying Child

Relationship — the taxpayer’s child or stepchild (whether by blood or adoption), foster child, sibling or step-sibling, or a descendant of one of these.

Residence — has the same principal residence as the taxpayer for more than half the tax year. Exceptions apply, in certain cases, for children of divorced or separated parents, kidnapped children, temporary absences, and for children who were born or died during the year.

Age — must be under the age of 19 at the end of the tax year, or under the age of 24 if a full-time student for at least five months of the year, or be permanently and totally disabled at any time during the year.

Support — did not provide more than one-half of his/her own support for the year.