Can i claim my fiance and her 14 year old kid as dependents on my taxes if we are not yet married?

Question

I currently claim 1 on my 1040 if I could add them as dependents what do I change it to 2 or 3? what is head of house hold ? thank you

I live in california

Answer 1

First response is correct.  They aren't dependents until you have a legal obligation to provide support.

Answer 2

No you cant claim them until you are married

Answer 3

well technically no

Answer 4

You can claim an unrelated person such as your fiancee if

1.  The person lived with you all year

2.  You provided over half of the person's support

3.  The person had less than $3,500 of income subject to tax.

You can claim the fiancee's child if the above is true for the child, and in addition

4.  The fiancee is not required to file a tax return

5.  If the fiancee files a tax return, she does so only to get a refund of taxes paid (no credits).

For each additional dependent you can claim, add one allowance to your W-4.

Do not add allowances for Child Tax Credit or Head of Household.  These tax benefits are not allowed in this case because your dependents are not related to you.

Answer 5

Wow, what a load of BAD answers!  As is always the case, though, Judy to the rescue with the correct information!  Give her the points!

Answer 6

No.

Answer 7

Honestly it depends on where you live.   You can not do anything on your tax return that violates local law.  For example in the state of West Virginia it is still a state law that it is illegal to live together if you are not married.  So no here you could not claim them as dependents.  I do not know what California laws are. You can claim anyone that lived with you all year and you provided over half of their support as long as they did not make over 3500 subject to income tax. (and does not violate local law)

Answer 8

If your fiance has gross income under $3500 for 2008, and they lived with you ALL 365 days of the year, and you provided over half of each of their support, you can very likely claim them, otherwise not.

Head of household is a filing status that requires among other things that you have a dependent who is a close relative.  A non-related person does NOT qualify, so you can't file as HofH even if you can claim them as dependents.  And even if you can claim the child, you could not claim them as a qualifying child so would not get the child tax credit.

Answer 9

Most of these post are wrong.  Judy is correct

Answer 10

I think you have to be married

Answer 11

Yes as long as you are head of household and they are living under your roof. I did this in 98' & 99' huge rebate now for the kid as long as the real dad doesn't claim the kid.