Claiming parents as a dependent on tax returns?

Question

I am asking this question on behalf of a cousin. My cousin's parents do not work, can he claim them as a dependent? Also he is a very young guy, he is only 23. Does his age prohibit him from claiming his parents as a dependent?

Answer 1

If he supports more than half of the income that they bring in to the house by any means he can claim them as dependents.

Answer 2

If he provides more than half of their support, and each of them has gross income under $3300 a year, then he could probably claim them as dependents. there are a few other tests but these are the big ones. If he doesn't provide more than half of their total support, then he can't. His age has nothing to do with his ability to claim them if he's providing over half of their support, but he'd have to be able to show that he really is if the IRS questions it.

Answer 3

He can claim them as dependents if he provides more than half of their total support and they have less than $3,300 each in gross income. Non-taxable Social Security does not count towards the gross income test. Since they are his parents, they do NOT need to live with him in order to qualify as dependents for tax purposes.

Contrary to what others have posted, it's not that he must provide more than half of their INCOME, but more than half of their SUPPORT. The income that they receive that is not spent on their own SUPPORT does NOT factor into the determination. If they dump all of their Social Security into the bank and he pays all of the bills from his personal funds, he is paying ALL of their support and they are providing NONE of their own support. Where their money goes matters, and if it's not on self support it doesn't count as support.

Answer 4

If he provides more than half of their income, he can, indeed claim them as dependants. If he shares the responsibility with other family members, they can take turns claiming the folks.