Can I Claim My Elderly Parent as a Dependent?

As parents age, the roles of parents and children can reverse. You may find yourself caring for an elderly parent in the same ways they used to care for you. That might include cooking for them, providing medical care and offering financial support.

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Whether or not you expected to end up caring for aging relatives, you may wonder if you can claim a parent as a dependent. IRS rules do allow you to claim a parent or grandparent as a dependent under qualifying circumstances. 

What Are the Criteria for Claiming a Parent as a Dependent on Your Taxes?

If you provide significant financial support for a parent, you may be able to claim that person as a dependent on your annual tax return. 

Which Parents Can Be Claimed as Dependents? 

A parent can include your biological parent, adoptive parent or spouse's parent. You may also claim a grandparent. 

The claimed dependent must be a U.S. citizen, resident alien or U.S. national. The IRS will also allow you to claim your parent if they're a resident of Canada or Mexico. In most cases, as long as all other requirements are met, you can claim a parent as a dependent even if they don't live in your home.

What Are the Financial Requirements for Claiming a Parent as a Dependent? 

The biggest financial requirements for claiming your parent as a dependent are: 

• No one can claim you as a dependent.
• You provided at least 51% of the financial support for your parent during the tax year.
• Your parent's gross income was under the IRS threshold (set at $4,700 for 2023).
• The parent isn't a qualifying child of another taxpayer.

If you or your parent is married, be aware of limitations related to filing jointly with a spouse. You should always review the IRS rules or speak with a tax advisor if you have questions. 

Can You File as Head of Household?

You can file as head of household if:

• You can claim your parent as a dependent.
• You aren't married.
• You paid more than half the cost for upkeep of the primary home where your parent lives, whether or not you also live in that home.

Filing as head of household can provide more financial tax benefits than simply claiming someone as a dependent. 

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Available Tax Credits and Deductions When You Care for a Dependent Parent

When you claim your elderly parent as a dependent, you may also qualify for certain deductions and tax credits that offer additional financial benefits. 

Medical Deductions

Aging parents can have significant medical needs. If you paid for a dependent parent's medical care, you may be able to claim the medical expenses as itemized deductions on your tax return. Medical expenses for you and your dependents must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income to be claimed as itemized deductions. 

Child and Dependent Care Credit

The Child and Dependent Care Credit can offer a significant discount or refund on your taxes. Many people think of this credit as something parents can claim if they send a small child to daycare, which is correct. However, you can also claim the credit if you pay for care for a disabled adult relative who lives in your household. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of Claiming a Parent as a Dependent?

Claiming a parent as a dependent can have significant tax benefits if you've provided financial support throughout the tax year. Doing so can reduce your total tax bill and make you eligible for additional credits and deductions. 

While there aren't major cons, you should ensure you actually qualify to claim the parent as a dependent. You could owe tax penalties if you mistakenly claim a parent as a dependent without meeting the requirements. For example, you can't claim your parent if their income exceeds the threshold. This income could include your parent's Social Security or pension payments, even if they aren't working. You'll also need to be careful with complicated situations, such as if you're married filing jointly or if your sibling also provides financial support to your parent.