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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 1:30:37 PM

What affect would adding my 19 year old sister have on my return?

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 1:30:44 PM

Taxes are complicated and simple answers are usually not possible.  You can use this tool to do an estimate https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/taxcaster/?s=1.

That said; assuming you have a tax liability, claiming another dependent would save you $4050 (a dependent’s exemption) times your marginal tax bracket (e.g. $4050 x 15% = $608)*.

There are two types of dependents, "Qualifying Children"(QC) and standard ("Qualifying Relative" in IRS parlance even though they don't have to actually be related). There is no income limit for a QC but there is an age limit and/or student status, a relationship test and residence test. Only a QC qualifies a taxpayer for the Earned Income. They are interrelated but the rules are different for each.

Since your sister is not full time student, over 18, she  cannot be a QC. A person can still be a Qualifying relative dependent, if not a Qualifying Child, if he meets the 6 tests for claiming a dependent:

1. Closely Related (sister qualifies) OR live with the taxpayer ALL year

2. His/her gross taxable income for the year must be less than $4,050 (2016)

3. The taxpayer must have provided more than 1/2 his support

In either case:

4. He must be a US citizen or resident of the US, Canada or Mexico

5. He must not file a joint return with his spouse or be claiming a dependent of his own

6. He must not be the qualifying child of another taxpayer

 

*If your sister also qualifies you for Head of Household filing status, that would result in additional tax savings.

5 Replies
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 1:30:38 PM

Does she live with you? Is she a full time college student?

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 1:30:40 PM

Yes and no she helps me take care of my mom

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 1:30:41 PM

Do you claim your mom on your return?  Does your mom live with you OR do you live with your mom?

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 1:30:42 PM

I didnt know if i could since she is married. She lives with me but she is married to a guy who she is about to divorce but I have been taking care of her for 2 years as well

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 1:30:44 PM

Taxes are complicated and simple answers are usually not possible.  You can use this tool to do an estimate https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/taxcaster/?s=1.

That said; assuming you have a tax liability, claiming another dependent would save you $4050 (a dependent’s exemption) times your marginal tax bracket (e.g. $4050 x 15% = $608)*.

There are two types of dependents, "Qualifying Children"(QC) and standard ("Qualifying Relative" in IRS parlance even though they don't have to actually be related). There is no income limit for a QC but there is an age limit and/or student status, a relationship test and residence test. Only a QC qualifies a taxpayer for the Earned Income. They are interrelated but the rules are different for each.

Since your sister is not full time student, over 18, she  cannot be a QC. A person can still be a Qualifying relative dependent, if not a Qualifying Child, if he meets the 6 tests for claiming a dependent:

1. Closely Related (sister qualifies) OR live with the taxpayer ALL year

2. His/her gross taxable income for the year must be less than $4,050 (2016)

3. The taxpayer must have provided more than 1/2 his support

In either case:

4. He must be a US citizen or resident of the US, Canada or Mexico

5. He must not file a joint return with his spouse or be claiming a dependent of his own

6. He must not be the qualifying child of another taxpayer

 

*If your sister also qualifies you for Head of Household filing status, that would result in additional tax savings.