Supporting parents may I file them as dependents? Is there such an option?

[proreflexology10]

Hi,

If I support my parents financially by paying their life expenses can I file them as dependents? Is there such an option? 

Thanks!

[Bsch4477 · Accepted solution]

Yes, if you provide more than half of their support and they have less than $4,400 in taxable income. 

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

If you can claim a qualified relative dependent you can get the $500 credit for other dependents, which is not refundable, but reduces your tax liability. 

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

 And if you itemize deductions you can enter any of their medical expenses that you paid out of pocket.

Your parents *might* be qualified relative dependents.   Do you provide over half their support?  Did they have less than $4400 of income not counting Social Security?    Do they file a joint tax return?

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  

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2021 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They're related to you.
• 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're under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• They lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
• They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.

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 $4,400 in 2022.
• 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.

[proreflexology10]

I actually pay most of their expenses, sometimes rent most times groceries and other necessities.

[VolvoGirl]

But do they  have any income?  Pension, retirement, investments.

[proreflexology10]

No, My mom works once a week in a school as a teacher but does not have any other job, she has been searching for a while but due to her age, she has no clue how to use technology and most jobs today days need knowledge in computers.

My dad does not have a job and he has been searching for a while, they do receive Fidelis free but nothing else.

[xmasbaby0]

@proreflexology10 

"fidelis free?"   Was that a typo or autocorrect---do you mean they receive income from some sort of Fidelity account?  If they each had even $4400 of income in 2022 you cannot claim them.    The only income that does not "count" is Social Security.   Any other income they have counts toward that per person amount of $4400.

[proreflexology10]

No, Fidelis insurance.

[xmasbaby0]

Okay---insurance.   But you are still not answering whether they have too much income----so we cannot tell you if you can claim them.

[VolvoGirl]

What kind of insurance?  They get payments?  Is it an Annuity or IRA or something?  Do they get a 1099R for it?

[proreflexology10]

No income just once a week a teacher.

[xmasbaby0]

This is like pulling teeth.   Did mom have $4400 of income from her once a week job?   Did dad have $4400 of income from insurance?

[proreflexology10]

No. Not at all.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Unless there is some other income or information we do not know about it sounds like you can claim your parents as qualified relatives for 2022.

[proreflexology10]

Ok. Thanks