My girlfriend has a baby. The baby is not biologically mine, I haven't adopted, or married my gf. But I help financially with some expenses. Can I claim the baby?

[Critter · Accepted solution]

Yes BUT only if the mother doesn't have to file AND only if the child lived with you all year AND  then only as an "other" dependent which means the most you can get for the child is $500 ... you are not entitled to any of the other child related benefits. 

Who can I claim as my dependent?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2018 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

·         They are related to you.

·         They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.

·         They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

·         They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.

·         They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).

o    No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.

·         They live 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 (other)

·         They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).

·         They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.

·         They are 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 $4,150 in 2018.

·         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.

Related Information:

·         Does a dependent have to live with me?

·         What does "financially support another person" mean?

·         Can I claim myself or my spouse as a dependent?

·         Can I claim my parent as a dependent?

·         Can I claim a newborn baby?

 

[SweetieJean]

I help financially with some expenses

You must provide more than 50% of the child's support.  Is the child's father paying child support or otherwise sending money?

[BobinCT]

True, but providing housing, etc counts toward support.

[SweetieJean]

OP has not mentioned in whose residence they live (if they indeed even live together).

[BobinCT]

True, but since the dominant theme started with 12 month presence, then it was safe.

[el-spike23]

The child's father is not paying child support or sending any type of financial aid.

[BobinCT]

If your girlfriend has no income, then the same rules spelled out for claiming the child apply for claiming your girlfriend (assuming she isn't filing a joint return with a spouse).  If she DOES have earned income then it would probably work out better for her to claim her child.