My adult son has diabetes and can not work. I am supporting him completely. Can I claim him as a dependent?

Question

My adult son has diabetes and can not work. I am supporting him completely. Can I claim him as a dependent?

Answer 1

Yes but only if noone else is clamming him as a dependant. Also you must claim all his income if any

Answer 2

Not to be rude but how is diabetes preventing him from working? Many many people live purposeful lives with diabetes, Halle Berry has it many people don't know that.

Answer 3

On your tax return, you should indicate that your son is permanently and totally disabled.  As long as

1.  Your son lived with you for more than six months

2.  You son did not provide over half of his own support

then you can claim your son as a qualifying child.  Your tax benefits would include:

1.  The exemption for your son of $3,500

2.  The Earned Income Credit if your income qualifies

3.  The Head of Household filing status if you are unmarried

4.  The Dependent Care Credit if you pay for care for your son so that you can work.

Although you state that you provide total support, it is not necessary in order to claim the above benefits.  The support test for a qualifying child is that the child did not provide over half of his own support.  Payments such as Social Security or SSI are considered support he provides himself.

Added later in response to several other answers:  Your child of any age who is permanently and totally disabled (meaning unable to work) and who meets the above conditions qualifies as a "qualifying child."  A qualifying child can have any amount of earnings.  There is no $3,500 threshold.

Answer 4

You should get a copy of IRS publication 501 which specifies all the rules regarding dependents.  Go to www.irs. gov and click on the "forms" link.

Generally - if your son lived with you for over half of the year, is permanently and totally disabled and did not provide over half of his own support, then you can claim him as a dependent.  If he is married and files a joint return, or is not a citizen then those disqualify him.  The first year - depending on what he earns and how long he lives with you - he may not be a dependent, but after that first year, he probably will be a dependent.

Answer 5

Can't he get on SSI?  Sounds like a 100% disability.

Answer 6

If you are providing over half of his support, and his gross income for the year is under $3500 for 2008, then you can.

Answer 7

Yes, as long as he makes less than $3500.  If he is disabled (collecting soc security disability) he can even qualify you for the earned income credit as if he was a little child.

Answer 8

I suggest you a guide that must help him

http://www.diabetescare.co.cc/

Thanks

Answer 9

If he lives with you and you provide over half of his support, you can.  You have to be careful, here, because sometimes a person thinks that they are supporting them, but they receive money from the government or some other source.  But, since you "support him completely," you should have no issue with the IRS.