The US expat's guide to dependent exemptions: Rules, benefits, and FAQs

What is a dependent?

A dependent is someone who relies on you for financial support. This can include a child, a relative, or even a friend, as long as they meet certain criteria. In most cases a dependent can be either a qualifying child or a qualifying relative.

A qualifying child must meet criteria such as being under the age of 19 (or 24 if a full-time student), living with you for more than half the year, and being related to you.

The qualifying child criteria also include providing more than half of the child’s financial support.

A qualifying relative can be a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or even a non-relative, but they must meet specific criteria such as not earning more than a certain amount of income, and the taxpayer must provide more than half of their financial support.

What is a dependent exemption?

A dependent exemption is a tax benefit that you can claim on your income tax return if you have a dependent.

It reduces your taxable income, which can result in a lower tax bill.

The dependent exemption is claimed by the person who provides the majority of the financial support for the dependent.

Why claim someone as a dependent?

Claiming someone as a dependent can provide you with a number of tax benefits. 

Not only can you claim a dependent exemption, but you can also qualify for other credits and deductions, such as the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Claiming a dependent can also increase the amount of your standard deduction, which reduces your taxable income.

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What qualifies someone as a dependent?

There are two categories of people who can qualify as dependents: qualifying children and qualifying relatives.

Qualifying a relative

To claim someone as a qualifying relative, they must meet the following criteria:

• They are related to you (either by blood, marriage, or adoption);
• They lived with you for the entire year (or are a close relative who did not live with you for the entire year but meets other criteria);
• They did not have gross income exceeding $5,050 in 2024 (this threshold is increased to $5,200 for 2025);
• You provided more than half of their financial support for the year.

Qualifying a child

To claim someone as a qualifying child, they must meet the following criteria:

• They are your child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, step-sibling, or a descendant of one of these;
• They are under age 19 (or under age 24 and a full-time student) at the end of the tax year;
• They lived with you for more than half of the tax year;
• They did not provide more than half of their own financial support for the year;
• They did not file a joint return with their spouse (unless it was only to claim a refund).

Which parent should receive dependency exemptions?

If both parents qualify to claim the dependent exemption for the same child, then the parent who provides the majority of the child's financial support should claim the exemption.

Advantages of claiming a dependent

As previously mentioned, claiming a dependent can lead to significant tax benefits (deductions), including tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Additionally, claiming a dependent can also reduce your taxable income, potentially resulting in a lower tax bill.

Examples of claiming dependents

To illustrate the benefits of claiming dependents, let's look at a couple of examples.

Example 1: Child dependents

Suppose you have a child who meets the criteria for a dependent. You can claim a dependent exemption of $4,400 for them, as well as the Child Tax Credit, which can be up to $2,000 per child.

This can provide a significant tax benefit for you.

For instance, if you have one child and your income is below the phase-out limit ($200,000 for single filers, $400,000 for joint filers), you could receive a Child Tax Credit of $2,000, which reduces your tax bill dollar-for-dollar.

If you owe $5,000 in taxes, for example, the credit would reduce your bill to $3,000.

In addition to the Child Tax Credit, you may also be eligible for other tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC), depending on your income and other factors.

Example 2: Relative dependents

Suppose you have a qualifying relative, such as a parent, who meets the criteria for a dependent.

You can claim a dependent exemption of $4,400 for them and may also be eligible for other tax credits, such as the Credit for Other Dependents, which can provide up to $500 per qualifying relative.

For instance, if you're providing more than half of your parent's support and their income is below the exemption threshold, you can claim them as a dependent on your tax return.

This can reduce your taxable income and lower your tax bill.

NOTE! The specific tax benefits and credits available when claiming dependents can vary based on a variety of factors, including your income and filing status. Consult with a qualified tax pro to ensure you're claiming all the benefits you're entitled to.

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