Can I claim my parents as my dependents? My mom is making $14K, and my dad didn't make any at all in 2006.

Question

I have been providing more than half of their living expenses for the past years. My parents have been filing joint returns. Can I claim them as my dependents?

This year, my mom will turn 65, and she plans to retire in June. She plans to only work for 6 months and to start collecting social security. They will get around $500/mo combined from SS. May I claim them as my dependents next year? Will that affect their MediCare/MediCal status?

Thanks.

Answer 1

If your parents are filing a joint return you cannot claim them as dependents if they have any tax liability at all. The only time that you can claim them as dependents when they file a joint return is if their individual incomes were less than $3,300 each and the only reason that they filed was to get a refund of taxes withheld.

Once your mother retires and their ONLY income is tax-exempt SS plus less than $3,300 EACH in additional gross income you may be able to claim them as dependents if they meet the support test, i.e. you provided more than half of their support each. The do NOT have to live with you.

From what you have posted here, you probably won't be able to claim them as dependents until the 2008 tax year since your mother will most likely earn more than $3,300 in 2007.

Don't know what affect that will have on MediCal. It won't have any affect on Medicare

Answer 2

Straight from the IRS website:
http://www.irs.gov/.../tc354.html
"Tests To Be a Qualifying Child;Tests To Be a Qualifying Relative

You cannot claim a married person who files a joint return as a dependent unless that joint return is only a claim for refund and there would be no tax liability for either spouse on separate returns.

Answer 3

If you provide more than half of their support and they live with you, then you can claim them as your dependents. Your parents will still have to file their own tax returns, but they cannot claim themselves on their tax return if you are also claiming them.

Answer 4

No. but there are tax deductions for the care of your parents.