Can I claim cousins as dependents?

February, 26 2014 by Dave Du Val, EA
Family in swimming pool on a raft

Hey Dave,

I lived with my younger cousins, ages 11 and 4, in 2013 except for about 2 months when I stayed with my father while he was sick. I provided more than half of their support for the year also. Can I claim them as dependents?

Sincerely,

Joshua

 

Dear Joshua,

When the writers of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) came up with the rules for claiming a dependent, they did not foresee all the real life scenarios in our country. But to answer your question, with the current convoluted rules in place, your particular situation does not allow you to claim your cousins as “Qualified Child(ren)” or “Qualified Relative(s)” as they are the wrong relationship (according to the rules in the IRC) for the Qualified Child and − as they did not live with you for the entire year − they do not meet the rules to be a Qualified Relative. There are many other rules that come into play other than the support test that, based on your question, you passed, but unfortunately you do not qualify to claim them on your tax return this year.

Deductiby yours,

Dave

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Dave Du Val, EA

Dave Du Val, EA
Chief Compliance Officer for TRI Holdco

 
Dave Du Val, EA, is Chief Compliance Officer for TRI Holdco. Inc., the parent company of TaxAudit, and Centenal Tax Group. A nationally recognized speaker and educator, Dave is well known for his high energy and dynamic presentation style. He is a frequent and popular guest speaker for the California Society of Tax Consultants, the California Society of Enrolled Agents and the National Association of Tax Professionals. Dave frequently contributes tax tips and information to news publications, including US News and World Report, USA Today, and CPA Practice Advisor. Dave is an Enrolled Agent who has prepared thousands of returns during his career and has trained and mentored hundreds of tax professionals. He is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals, the National Association of Enrolled Agents and the California Society of Enrolled Agents. Dave also holds a Master of Arts in Education and has been educating people since 1972. 
 

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