You must make sure that you are legally able to claim your grandchild as a dependent.
In order to claim your grandchild, you must satisfy the following:
- 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.
- They made less than $4,200 in 2019.
- You provided more than half of their financial support.