Reducing You Taxes by Claiming a Dependent
The IRS has been looking closer at Dependent deductions since 2005. Being able to claim a dependent on your taxes is tied to a number of tax related benefits. It may benefit the taxpayer because they can claim each dependent as an exemption. They may also be able to qualify for a child tax credit, depending if they meet the guidelines. To help figure out if you have a qualifying dependent there are a set of rules you should go by. the following will be considered as a qualified dependent: 1. The person must be your child, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, brother, sister or a descendant of one of these. 2. The person must reside in the same residence with the taxpayer for more than half the year. 3. Age is also a factor. the qualifying dependent has to be: Under the age of 19 at the end of the year Under the age of 24 and be a full time student or at least 5 months out of the year....