Tax Relief: Uncle John Can Be A Qualifying Relative AND A Dependent
Posted by LWM Team on Tue, Feb 09, 2010
Everyone knows about ‘a qualifying child' but what about a ‘qualifying relative'? In this day of dire economics, not just the kids are moving back home. Houses are fast filling with brothers, aunts, uncles, even cousins twice removed! But there may be a way to soothe those tense muscles! Take a hard look at dependent tax laws. Not only might your 55 year old son qualify, along with the family of 7 he brought along, but even people NOT related at all! And you thought you were rid of the in-laws when you divorced...maybe NOT. Dig deep and find a little kindness...they may qualify as your dependent even if they don't live with you! Yes, you may have the hit Tax Relief jackpot! All you have to do is take the qualifying relative test and pray!
Temporary Absences Still Qualify
For dependents who have actually lived with you there are special rules about ‘temporary absences' that may still allow you to claim them. It's like killing two birds with one stone; you get a little privacy and can still claim them as a dependent! Temporary absences for education, military service, business, vacation, and even placement in a nursing home can STILL qualify them as your dependent.
Even people who are not relatives at all may pass the test as a "qualifying relative"! But... there's a down side, they DO have to live with you for a year. So if the gas man becomes homeless, think TWICE before saying no. Times are tough and deductions are...well, NOT REALLY that hard to come by at all Pleasant Tax Relief to all!