Find out who you can claim as a qualifying child and as a qualifying relative
For most taxpayers, claiming a dependent results in a fairly significant tax benefit, oftentimes a refund. But who exactly can you claim as a dependent?
There are actually two different categories of dependent: qualifying child and qualifying relative. Both have different requirements and are treated differently by the tax code. If a credit refers to a “dependent” either category qualifies, but if it refers specifically to a “qualifying child” then you cannot use a qualifying relative to claim it.
In order to claim someone as your qualifying child, he or she must
- Be your biological or adopted child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, half sibling, stepsibling, or a descendent of one of these Read the rest of this entry »






