Dependent

[SarahJ12]

My sister lives with my mom in NJ. She works as a teacher and my mom is retired receiving SS pmts. She shoulders most of the expenses at home. Can she file as head of household? Or claim my mom as a dependent?

[Corrlich44]

She can only claim your mother as a dependent if she is paying more than 50% of all household needs to live in that home, in every regard, which may be hard to do if your mother owns that home and has sufficient means to pay her own way.

[xmasbaby0]

If your mom's only income is Social Security, and your sister is providing over half her support, then your sister may be able to file as head of household and claim your mom as a qualifying relative dependent.   She would get the $500 credit for other dependents.

Am I Head of Household?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894553-do-i-qualify-for-head-of-household

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2900097-what-is-a-qualifying-person-for-head-of-household

If you qualify as Head of Household, when you enter your marital status (single or married filing separately) into MyInfo, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.

IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3113432-who-can-i-claim-as-my-dependent  

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4499708-what-is-the-500-credit-for-other-dependents-family-tax-cre...

[SarahJ12]

Thank you. If my sister does claim my mom as a dependent does my mom still need to file taxes on her SS earnings?

[SarahJ12]

Thank you. They rent an apartment and pay 75/25 on rent and food (sister pays more).