Can I claim my mother on my taxes

[nellienel40]

My mother receives SSI/SSA, and she received a Form SSA-1099-SM. The form stated  the following. Does she need to file her own taxes? Can I still claim her on my taxes for dependent credit? 

Box 3. Benefits Paid in 2024
$3,564.00
Box 4. Benefits Repaid to SSA
in 2024
NONE
Box 5. Net Benefits for 2024 (Box
3 minus Box 4)

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

If her income was less than $5050--NOT counting the Social Security and if you have been paying for over half of your mother's support you may be able to claim her as a qualified relative and get the $500 credit for other dependents.  

IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

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

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 $5050 in 2024 (not counting Social Security)
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

As for whether she has to file----if SS was her only income, she is not required to file a tax return unless she has a 1095A for marketplace health insurance.