How long can a child be dependent?
Asked by: Amir Kutch | Last update: December 17, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (30 votes)
When should you stop claiming a child as a dependent?
Make sure your dependent meets the IRS requirements. Generally, the IRS requires that the child is under the age of 19 (or under 24 if a full-time student), lives with you for more than half the year, and does not provide more than half of their own financial support.
At what age is a child no longer a dependent?
Once your child reaches the age of 18, they are considered an adult in the eyes of the IRS. However, if they are still a full-time student, you can continue to claim them as a dependent until they turn 24. Once they are no longer a full-time student, you must stop claiming them.
Can I still claim my 18 year old as a dependent if they work?
Yes, a child under age 19 or a full time student under age 24 can still be claimed as a dependent regardless of the amount of income she has.
How long can I claim my adult child as a dependent?
There is no age limit for how long you can claim adult children or other relatives as dependents, but they must meet other IRS requirements to continue to qualify. Additionally, once they are over 18 and no longer a student, they can only qualify as an "other dependent," not a qualifying child.
Is there an age limit on claiming my child as a dependent? | 2 Minute Accountant
Can I claim my 25 year old child as a dependent?
It's possible, but once you're over age 24, you can no longer be claimed as a qualifying child. The only exception to this is if you're permanently and totally disabled.
Is it better not to claim my college student as a dependent?
Cons of Claiming a College Student as a Dependent
If your child has earned income and you claim them as a dependent, they lose the opportunity to claim their own personal exemption (when applicable in future years) and certain tax credits that could be more advantageous for them.
Can I claim my child as a dependent if she made over $4000?
Generally, to qualify, the child must meet the specific relationship, age, residency, and support requirements. However, if your dependent is classified as a qualifying relative, their gross income must not exceed $4,700. This limit is expected to increase to $4,800 for tax year 2024.
Can I claim my son as dependent if he made $20,000?
For qualifying dependents who are not a qualifying child (called “qualifying relatives” in tax law), the person's gross income for the 2023 tax year must be below $4,700 (for 2023). For qualifying relatives, they must get more than half of their financial support from you.
How much do you get for a dependent over 18?
The maximum credit amount is $500 for each dependent who meets certain conditions. This credit can be claimed for: Dependents of any age, including those who are age 18 or older. Dependents who have Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers.
Can I claim my 20 year old college student as a dependent?
However, to claim a college student as a dependent on your taxes, the Internal Revenue Service has determined that the qualifying child or qualifying relative must: Be younger than the taxpayer (or spouse if MFJ) and: Be under age 19, Under age 24 and a full-time student for at least five months of the year.
What happens when your child turns 26?
When your child reaches age 26, he or she is no longer eligible to be covered under your health benefits enrollment, unless your child is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 26.
Can I file taxes if my parents claim me as a dependent?
Even if someone else, like a parent, claims you on their own tax return, you may still be required to file your own return. Filing requirements vary with annual income, marital status, Earned Income Tax Credit requirements, and other factors.
At what age is your child no longer a dependent?
The IRS sets these specific age limits: Under 19. If the child is under 19 years old at the end of the tax year, they typically qualify as your dependent. Under 24 and a full-time student.
What is the $3600 child tax credit?
Specifically, the Child Tax Credit was revised in the following ways for 2021: The credit amount was increased for 2021. The American Rescue Plan increased the amount of the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to $3,600 for qualifying children under age 6, and $3,000 for other qualifying children under age 18.
Who cannot be claimed as a dependent?
A dependent must be a U.S. citizen, resident alien or national or a resident of Canada or Mexico. A person can't be claimed as a dependent on more than one tax return, with rare exceptions. A dependent can't claim a dependent on their own tax return. You can't claim your spouse as a dependent if you file jointly.
Can I claim my 16 year old as a dependent if they work?
Even if your child is earning and reporting their own income, you can claim them as a dependent as long as they meet the IRS's qualifying child test. If you want to do so, you may want to review the rules around claiming a dependent on your tax return.
What are the 6 requirements for claiming a child as a dependent?
- Relationship — must be your: ...
- Age: Are under 13 years old.
- Residency: Lived with you for more than 1/2 the year.
- Support: Did not provide more than 1/2 of his/her own support.
- Joint Return: Did not file a joint federal or state income tax return.
Should I claim my 19 year old as a dependent?
You generally may do so as long as your child is either under age 19 (nonstudents) or under age 24 (students). But there is a reason to not claim your child as a dependent – and it has everything to do with higher education.
When should I stop claiming my child as a dependent?
To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you or your spouse if filing jointly and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.
Can I claim my 30 year old son as a dependent?
To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you or your spouse if filing jointly and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.
What is the penalty for filing head of household while married?
What's the penalty for filing as head of household while married? There's no tax penalty for filing as head of household while you're married. But you could be subject to a failure-to-pay penalty of any amount that results from using the other filing status.
Can I claim my 23 year old college student as a dependent?
A part-time college student can only be claimed as a dependent if they are under 19 years old. However, the age limit for dependents is extended if your dependent is considered a full-time student. If your dependent is a full-time student, they can be claimed up to 24 years old.
What are the 5 tests for qualifying children?
Changes to Certain Benefits
The five dependency tests – relationship, gross income, support, joint return and citizenship/residency – continue to apply to a qualifying relative. A child who is not a qualifying child might still be a dependent as a qualifying relative.
When should your child file their own taxes?
Your dependent children must file a tax return when they earn above a certain amount of income. Dependent children with earned income in excess of $14,600 must file an income tax return (for the 2024 tax year).