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Level 4
January 19, 2026
Question

QUALIFYING RELATIVE

Our adult child lives with us and has for the entire year, we do provide more than half of the financial support, but she has made over the $5,200 qualifying relative gross amount, but still under the $15,750 to even file taxes. 

Does all of the criteria have to be met?

    4 replies

    Level 15
    January 19, 2026

    You have not mentioned the adult child's age or whether they were a full-time student.   If they were NOT a student, and they were 19 or older at the end of 2025, and had over $5200 of income, they do not meet the criteria to be your dependent.

     

    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 $5200 in 2025 (not counting Social Security)
    • You provided more than half of their financial support.

     

    **Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
    Level 4
    January 19, 2026

    Oh, the age is 25 and not a full-time student.

    Level 15
    January 19, 2026

    Your 25 year old non-student cannot be claimed as anyone else's dependent.  They are too old and made too much.  Even if they are under the filing requirement threshold, they can file a tax return to seek a refund of federal and/or state ta withheld from their paychecks.

    **Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
    Level 15
    January 19, 2026

    Yes, the person must meet all the criteria.  They are disqualified by their income.  The income limit for being disqualified as a qualifying relative dependent is different from the income threshold to file ones own return.