Can i claim my 16 year old sister as dependent on my taxes?

Question

Myself, my grandpa and my sister live together and im making the most. grandpa adopted us years ago and now only makes 400 a month. i am only 21 and filed head of household and claimed my sister as a dependant. is this ok?

Answer 1

If you supported your sister for more than 6 months out of the year, and she is not claiming herself, and your grandfather does not claim her, yes you may claim her.

New rules apply to claim a dependency exemption. Taxpayers reduce their taxable incomes for each dependency exemption claimed. A dependent may be either a "Qualifying Child" or a "Qualifying Relative."

To claim a dependency exemption, all of the dependency tests must be met for a Qualifying Child or Qualifying Relative.

Tax Tutorial - Dependents - Discover how to determine whether a person can be claimed as a dependent.

Fact Sheet - Dependents - Print this fact sheet on dependents.

Simulation 4A - Identifying Dependents as a Single Taxpayer - Help Michael Brand, a single taxpayer with no children, determine whether he can claim dependency exemptions.

Simulation 4B - Identifying Dependents as a Single Taxpayer with Children - Help Samantha Nichols, a single taxpayer with one child, determine whether she can claim dependency exemptions.

Simulation 4C - Identifying Dependents - Help Sandya Prashad, a single taxpayer whose lives with her father, determine if she can claim dependency exemptions.

Assessment - Dependents - Review your understanding of dependents.

Teacher Lesson Links - Review the lesson plan for dependents.

Answer 2

yes if you take care of her

Answer 3

If you can prove that you provide the majority of support for your sister.

Answer 4

It's probably OK.  You might need to show that you provided over half of the cost of maintaining the household.