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The Global Insight

When can you claim an eligible dependent?

Author

John Hall

Updated on March 07, 2026

your parent or grandparent by blood, marriage, common-law partnership, or adoption. your child, grandchild, brother or sister by blood, marriage, common-law partnership, or adoption and was under 18 years of age or had an impairment in physical or mental functions.

What is an eligible dependent?

For the purposes of the eligible dependant credit, the dependant may be your parent or grandparent, or a child under the age of 18 who is your child, grandchild, brother/sister through birth, adoption, marriage or common-law partnership.

How much can a dependent make and still be claimed 2020?

Do they make less than $4,300 in 2020 or 2021? Your relative cannot have a gross income of more than $4,300 in 2020 or 2021 and be claimed by you as a dependent. Do you financially support them? You must provide more than half of your relative’s total support each year.

Who qualifies for other dependent credit?

The credit can be used for older children, relatives, and even non-relatives. If you have a qualifying child between the ages of 17 and 23 still in school, you can claim the credit. You can also use the credit for a qualifying relative, which could be a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, or other relatives.

How much do you get back for 2 dependents on taxes?

The credit is worth up to $2,000 per dependent for tax year 2020, but your income level determines exactly how much you can get.

How much of a tax credit is a dependent?

The credit amount is up to $2,000 per qualifying dependent child 16 or younger at the end of the calendar year. There is a $500 nonrefundable credit for qualifying dependents other than children.

Can I claim my 25 year old son as a dependent?

To claim your child as your dependent, your child must meet either the qualifying child test or the qualifying relative test: To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you and either younger than 19 years old or be a “student” younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.

How much does a dependent have to make to file taxes?

Criteria for Filing Taxes as a Dependent in 2019 If you’re a single or married dependent under age 65, you need to file taxes if any of these are true: Unearned income more than $1,100. Earned income more than $12,200. Gross income more than $1,100 or earned income up to $11,850 — plus $350.

How does the child and dependent care tax credit work?

This credit allows taxpayers to reduce their tax by a portion of their child and dependent care expenses. The credit may be claimed by taxpayers who, in order to work or look for work, pay someone to take care of their qualifying person.

What does it mean to claim eligible dependant credit?

Formerly referred to as the Equivalent-to-Spouse amount, the Amount for an Eligible Dependant Credit is a Non-Refundable Tax Credit designed for single adults who are not claiming the spouse/common-law partner credit and who are responsible for the financial care of a relative.

How are child and dependent care expenses determined?

The taxpayer’s child and dependent care expenses must be for the care of one or more qualifying people. Refer to the Volunteer Resource Guide, Tab G, Nonrefundable Credits, Child and Dependent Care Credit Expenses, to determine who is a qualifying person.

Can a grandparent claim spouse credit as a dependant?

For example, if your grandmother is dependent on you but your grandfather claims the spouse credit for her, you cannot claim her as a dependant, regardless of how involved you are in her care. Additionally, only one person per household is allowed to make this claim, regardless of the number of dependants in the house.