Can I claim my 31 year old son as a dependent? He is disabled, can't work, lives with me full time. His only income is SSD.

[VolvoGirl]

Yes.  You don't report his SSDI on your return.  If that's all he has he doesn't have to file and nobody reports it.

[klhall1]

@VovloGirl

Thank you for replying.  I had an issue with my email so I was just able to see your reply a couple days ago.

I like your answer!     

I had another tax guy tell me that I could not claim my son since his SSD is over $4,000.  I have read a lot on the subject and it has been difficult to decipher exactly what is correct for my situation.

I want to claim his as a dependent since I do provide him a place to live, food, utilities, etc..   I just didn't want to claim him if that would get flagged as an error by the IRS.

His only income is SSD. He is 31 years old. Was injured in 2018 and has not worked since than and can't work due to 24 hours a day pain, and he lost his left arm.

So I guess I am just asking you to verify you answer one more time.  

From what you said, I can claim him as a dependent and does not even have to file a Tax Return since his only income is SSD, correct??  

Side note, my wife has been on SSD for many years. We have always added her SSD to my income on our Tax Return. As far as I understand I do have to claim her SSD income on our joint return.  Is that correct? 

Any other insight you might have to help me save some money on Taxes is Greatly appreciated!!!

[JulieS · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can claim him as a dependent because he is your son and he is disabled. The $4000 income limit only applies to a dependent who is not your son or daughter. 

You do not need to claim his SSD as income and he does not need to file  tax return, if he has no other income. 

You do need to claim your wife's SSD on a joint return and it may be partially taxable, depending on the amount of other income. 

[klhall1]

Thank you very much!!!

[klhall1]

Hello.  I just wanted to make sure that this information is still correct.

My adult son is on disability from a bad wreck in 2018. He gets SSD, about $21,700 per year now.

He lives with me and I provide all his living expenses.

From what I was told before, I can claim him as a dependent and he does NOT have to file a Federal Tax Return at all since he only has SSD.  Is that still correct?  

Does he need to file an Arkansas Tax Return if he does not have to file a Federal Tax Return?

Thank you again!

[AmyC]

1. He does not need to file anything.  

2. As for claiming him as a dependent, you state that you provide all his support and that SSD provides support. So did you provide over half his support?  Support includes amounts spent to provide:

• Food,
• Lodging,
• Clothing,
• Education,
• Medical and dental care,
• Recreation,
• Transportation, and
• Similar necessities.

This information is found in Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information. You can also take the quick quiz Dependent - Who can I claim?

If you meet the qualifications to claim him, then you should.