When it comes to paying taxes, having dependents can significantly impact your tax situation. With dependents you can qualify for certain tax deductions and benefits, both of which can help lower your overall tax liability. This article aims to delve deeper into how dependents and taxes are connected.
A dependent, according to the tax code, is a person who depends on you for financial support. This may apply to your biological children, stepchildren, adopted children, as well as occasionally other family members or people who meet particular requirements established by the tax authorities.
In order to claim someone as a dependent on your tax return, they need to meet certain criteria to be eligible. These requirements include:
The individual in question must be your child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, half-sibling, or a descendant of any of these (e.g., grandchild). In some instances, other relatives or unrelated individuals may qualify, providing they have lived with you for the entire year and meet certain requirements.
Your dependent must live with you for more than half of the prescribed tax year. Temporary absences for medical or education purposes are generally allowed.
The dependent must also be younger than you under the age of 19 (that age shifts to 24 if they are a full time student). Nevertheless, there are certain exceptions for individuals with disabilities or other circumstances.
As your dependent, you must be responsible for more than half of their financial support for the tax year. This can include housing, education, medical care, food and other costs.
Claiming a dependent on your tax return can result in various tax benefits, such as:
For each dependent, taxpayers could previously claim a personal exemption, which directly reduced their taxable income. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was passed in 2017, however, temporarily suspended personal exemptions until the tax year 2026.
You might qualify for the Child Tax Credit if you have eligible children under the age of 17. Depending on your income, you may be able to claim this credit to lower your tax obligation by up to $2,000 for each child. The credit may also be refundable in part.
You may also be eligible for the Dependent Care Credit if you paid for childcare or other dependent care expenses so that you could work or look for work. T credit may assist in offsetting a portion of your allowable expenses, however, there are certain restrictions.
If you have dependents attending eligible higher education institutions, you may be eligible for education tax credits, such as the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit. These credits can help offset the costs of tuition, fees, and other education-related expenses.
You may be eligible for the Head of Household filing status if you're single and have a dependent who lives with you for more than half the year. Compared to filing as a single person, this filing status offers lower tax rates and a higher standard deduction.
It's crucial to keep accurate records and documentation when claiming a dependent in order to prove your eligibility. Birth certificates, Social Security numbers, proof of residency, academic records, and proof of financial support may be included.
Tax laws can be complicated, and depending on your individual situation, there may be different requirements for claiming dependents. To make sure you correctly claim dependents and maximize the available tax benefits, you are better of speaking with a qualified tax professional or attorney.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW KLSM CPA FIRM PLLC CAN BEST HELP YOU WITH YOUR TAX FILING NEEDS, PLEASE CLICK THE BLUE TAB ON THIS PAGE.
THANKS FOR VISITING.
