claiming elderly parents
claiming elderly parents

Can You Claim Your Elderly Parents on Your Taxes?

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows you to claim your elderly parent as a dependent on a tax return as long as no one else does. If you choose to claim an exemption for your parent, you must also ensure that you are not an eligible dependent to another taxpayer. This restriction is effective even if the taxpayer who can claim you as a dependent chooses not to do so.

Satisfying the gross income test

Unlike claiming a child as a dependent, it is not necessary that your elderly parent lives with you. However, you do have to consider your parent’s income when figuring out whether you can claim them. If your parent has taxable income of $4,300 or more in 2021, you cannot claim them as a dependent on your taxes. When evaluating your parent’s taxable income, do not include their social security payments and other tax-exempt pensions. Their taxable income does include, however, dividends, capital gains from the sale of stock, interest earned in a bank account and other passive investments such as income from rental properties they own.

Satisfying the support test

Not only must your parent have minimal gross income, but you must also provide more than half (51%) of their financial support during the tax year. Satisfying the requirements of the support test requires a comprehensive evaluation of your parent’s expenses. The fact that your parent receives sufficient income during the year does not necessarily mean the funds are used for their support. The support test looks to who actually pays rather than the parent’s ability to pay.

For example, if your elderly parent only uses their Social Security benefits to pay $300 in monthly rent and you provide all other expenses that total more than $300 each month, then you will satisfy the requirements of the support test even if your parent puts thousands of dollars of tax-exempt income into a savings account each month.

Older man and his adult son cooking dinner.

Satisfying the Residency and Relationship Test 

In order to claim your parent on your tax return they must satisfy the requirements as a “qualifying relative”. This means that the person must be your parent, in-law, or even grandparent. This elderly parent must be related to you biologically, by adoption, or via marriage (and thus the biological parent of your spouse). Unlike a non-relative, your parent, in-law or grandparent does not have to live with you.

However, the IRS does require that your elderly parent (or grandparent) meet one of the following requirements:

  • Be a legal United States Citizen
  • Be a United States National
  • Be a United States Resident Alien
  • Be a resident of Canada or Mexico

Other Benefits to Claiming Your Elderly Parents 

Other benefits to claiming your elderly parents may include claiming medical expenses and the Child and Dependent Care Credit on your tax return.

Medical Expenses 

If you paid for your parent’s medical care, you may be able to claim their medical expenses that you paid if you can claim itemized deductions. You can even deduct your parent’s medical expenses if they do not meet the income requirement to be claimed as your dependent as long as you provide more than half of their support. Keep in mind that your total medical expenses will have to exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income to claim these expenses.

Care worker holding an elderly lady’s hand while she rests in bed.

Child and Dependent Care Credit 

Most people think of the Child and Dependent Care Credit as a credit you can get for taking your kids to daycare. When you have kids you can only claim the credit for sending them to daycare or summer camp when they are under 13, but there is no age limit if they are disabled.  The same goes for a disabled elderly parent. If you can claim your parent who is disabled as a dependent there is no age limit for claiming the credit.  If you have to pay for care for your elderly parent who is disabled so that you can work you may be able to claim a credit up to $4,000 for 2021.

Also for tax year 2021, the maximum amount that can be contributed to a dependent care flexible spending account and the amount of tax-free employer-provided dependent care benefits was doubled from $5,000 to $10,500.

For tax year 2022, the Child and Dependent Care Credit reverts back to pre-American Rescue Plan law and is up to $1,050 for one dependent and up to $2,100 for two or more dependents.

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153 responses to “Can You Claim Your Elderly Parents on Your Taxes?”

  1. My husband and I (both over 50), lived with my daughter and husband for most of last year until their situation changed. My husband was in a car accident in 2013 and hasn’t been able to work since. We receive no income other than food stamps and Medicaid. I am also unable to work because of health issues, however, late last year, in order to have a roof over our heads, I started to volunteer at a place in GA that provides housing to out-of-state volunteers (which we are). In volunteering (vs a job), when I do not feel well, I can go home and rest and take care of myself. As a result of volunteering, I received a 1099 for the housing income but it is well below the income limit allowed. I was told that since I received food stamps and Medicaid, I have to file for ourselves and that I would need to pay self-employment taxes. My question is can my daughter claim us on her income taxes since she provided most of our “keep” last year? And will we need to pay self-employment taxes? Any help would be appreciated. We are just trying to keep a roof over our heads and cannot afford any taxes.

  2. We purchased a home for my mom and allow her and her husband to live there rent free. We pay the HOA and mortgage payment each month in the amount of $650. We also pay her monthly car insurance and cell phone in the amount of $170. She is on disability and receives $700 a month. Her husband works, but only makes about 12,000 a year in income. We are deducting the interest expense on the home, but would like to know if we can deduct the other expenses? Thank you

  3. I moved into my granparents paid for home to help them out with bills in 2013. My grandfather died in April of 2014. He was 68 and disabled. His only form of income was social security (1,100 monthly). My 75 yr old grandmother now receives his benefits. Can I claim either one of them for 2014 if I paid the property taxes and the majority of the bills? They do not file.

  4. Can i claim my mom? She doesn’t work at all she’s 55 I completely take care of her she doesn’t get any income?????

    • Absolutely. i have done it in the past. An H&R Block tax specialist clued me in about this exemption several years ago.

  5. My mother separatedy father last year. She is disabled and makes only 3000 from ssa a year. My dad usedto clam her as a dependent and he owes taxes. If i claim her this year does it affect me?

  6. The state pays me to be my disabled mothers cargiver. I do have a fulltime job also. I take care of her and all her living expenses, although the state does takes care of her medical bills. Can I claim her as a dependent on my taxes

  7. My mother is disabled and has only her social security and a small retirement pension which comes to about $1100 a month; I had to move in to care for her as she is mentally and physically unable to care for herself: by the time we pay her insurance & the copay for he medicine she only has a few dollars left over so I pay the rest of her bills: mortgage on house; pge, gas, food, clothing, etc. so I do pay over half her expenses. Can I claim her on my 2014 income tax return?

  8. Can I claim my mom? She is below the required income, but as far as financial support I pay for her phone bill monthly and purchased her a car for her which is more than 2x her annual social security benefits.

  9. My mother passed away in Sept. 2014 and had SS as well as disability money coming in, yet she lived with me and I paid for more than half her living expenses. She didn’t file a return the year before and made a payment plan with the IRS before she passed away to take care of that, but when passed there was no estate, no assets whatsoever. Can I claim her as a dependent or will they take my refund since then she will be linked to me to settle as much as her debt?

  10. Can you claim your father even if you and your spouse live in his house and he receive 1100. a month social security. His house expenses are less than 900. a month.

  11. I pay my Mom’s bills (all of them) can I claim her and can I deduct the amount I pay for her meds, Life Alert, and Phone service I pay monthly?

  12. Claiming parent as dependent: Does income from the sale of her residence from 4 years ago count as gross income if the parent does not spend it? She will spend only $2000 of the $8000 left (non-taxable gain) and I pay everything else. The support test is met. She draws very little SSA benefits.

  13. my dad is sick moved in with me he is 78 draws social security and county pension i furnish all food charge no rent he refuses doctor even though he sick so has no medical bills can i claim him as a dependent on my income tax
    he has no other income

  14. If I purchase a home for the sole purpose of my mother living there and she pays less than market value rent do I have to claim that as income? If I don’t charge rent can I claim her as a dependent and claim the mortgage interest and real estate taxes as itemized deductions on my return?

  15. I am financially supporting my elderly mother that lives in a senior home in europe. Can I claim her as a dependent or does she have to reside in canada?

  16. What if someone does not have children that help them but they have a really good friend that pays part of her light bill every month for years also pays for all house hold repairs as well as car repairs and her land taxes because she just doesn’t have enough money to make it. Could that friend use her for an exemption?

  17. Hi, my father lives in the nursing home and his Medicaid/Medicare pays for his nursing home expenses. However, I have hired a personal caregiver to help him with the extra medical needs. I am paying $800 a month for this. He only makes $30 a month from his SSI.

    Does he qualify as my dependent?

    Thanks
    John

    • Hi John,
      Yes, you could claim your father if he does not have taxable income over $3950 in 2014 and your provide over half of his support.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

      • Thank you very much Lisa,
        I have not filed him as a dependent so far. How many years can I go back and make corrections in my tax return?

  18. My parents live in my rental and i do not charge them rent. in addition I also pay some of the utility bills. They only get social security and do not file taxes. can I claim them as dependents? I am still paying the mortgage on the house they live in. $600.00 a month.

  19. Father (age 91) lives with us. His Pension income is $6,950/year, so does he have to file and can we claim him? He is here under a Doctor’s order.

  20. Can I claim my 68 yr old mom who’s only income is Soc Security ($4120 yearly) and I pay rest of the bills?

    • 68 yrs oldNewly retired pension 1000 a month do I file w4 form, married claiming 2 or I have to choose flat amount deduction. Pls help

  21. Me and my wife are dependent on our daughter for our livelihood. We have no income of our own except yearly dividend & interest of around $ 1500. Do we need to file separate tax return for our above earnings?

    • Hi Teyphun,
      No you do not meet the IRS income requirement threshold so you don’t have to file.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  22. My mother’s pension income is more than $3900, however I paid more than 50% of her skilled nursing home costs in 2013 and more than 50% of all her medical expenses. If I cannot claim her as a dependent because of her income, can I still deduct the medical expenses I paid directly to the nursing home/medical expenses I paid for her care?

  23. My parents who both are on social security alone live with me. Can I claim them as dependants? Are there any situations where I couldn’t?

  24. My parent is in a va facility 340 miles away. I have to go up there once a month. Can I take gas mileage off or as a deduction and if so how much per mile?

  25. My 85 year old mother, my sister and I live together , my mothers ss is 1400 amonth. . All three of us pay for our house and upkeep. It would be very difficult to separate for tax purposes. Who ever has the money at the time pays bill. Can I claim my mother since no one else does.

  26. My elderly father’s only income is his monthly social security check. My sister and I both send him money every month to pay his bills, which is over half his support. He still owes child support to our mother, which is currently being taken out of his social security checks. If I claim him as a dependent, will the money he owes get taken out of my refund?

  27. My father receives a veterans pension and that is the only I come he and my mother have. Can I claim them without affecting his benefits?

  28. My father receives a veterans pension for about $1,300/month. Can I carry he and my mother on my taxes without jeopardizing his benefits?

  29. Hi. My father receives a veterans pension for approximately 1,300. Can I claim him and my mother on my taxes?

  30. my mother is 45 (not what i consider elderly) can i claim her she worked part of jan. lst yr and is in process of getting soc sec

    • Hi Devin,
      You can claim your mother if you provided over half of her support and she didn’t make over $3,900.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  31. i support, with remittances, my mother who lives in and and is a citizen of India. Is there a way to get tax credits for those remittances? or does she have to be living with me, in the US for part or entire year?

    • Can I claim my remittances to my children living in the Philippines in my income tax return here in Canada if yes what category it will fall?

  32. My father passed away this year, and I am living with my elderly mother. The only income that she receives is her monthly social security check. Would I be able to claim her as a dependent and file head of household for next years taxes?

  33. If I am married but file married separate from spouse, can I claim my elderly mother we meet the other requirements?

  34. I have been claiming my elderly father as a dependent for a few years now….On April of this year he entered a nursing home…Would I still be able to claim him for this year

  35. I have been claiming my live in father on my income tax for quite a few years….On 4-19-13 he entered a nursing home…..Would I be able to claim him for this year…….

  36. I support my elderly Father, however, he lives in Greece. I pay his caretaker & his monthly expenses. I wire the money monthly. Am I able to claim this?

  37. My mother whom i have as a dependent for taxes passed in august of this year. She was 92. Can i still claim her on 2013 taxes as a dependent?

  38. Since I can claim my mother as a dependent on my taxes, does she still need to file a tax return for her income, as little as it might be?

  39. As of May 2012, we pay nearly 100% of my elderly mother’s living expenses – including her mortgage and utilities. She lives out of state, and receives $730 per month in SSA income per year. We claimed her as a dependent for 2012, but it was disallowed. Before calling the IRS, I am hoping you can let me know what documents or proof I need to have on hand. Thank you.

  40. These are all helpful. My 90year old father moved in after Mom past away and is paying us 1300 per month for rent, medical, personal expenses, so do we claim that as income? Can we still claim him as a dependent?

  41. My father lives in a house that I own. I pay the personal property and up keep on the house. I also pay the water bill for him and repairs to his vehicle. Can I claim him on my taxes. He gets 800 on SS and has no other income. Some times I have to buy him groceries.

  42. my father gets 24,000 from SSDI He lives with me and I pay all household expenses Can I claim him as a dependent

    • Hi Satie,
      As long as you pay for over half of his support for things like housing, food, medical, clothing, and other basic necessities you can claim him. TurboTax will ask you the necessary questions to help you.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

      • Hi Lisa,

        My Father stays in India and I’m paying for his all expenses (food, clothing, medical etc..) can I claim these expenses on my fed or state return? Is yes can you tell me how?

    • My 77 year old mother does not live with me but I pay her electric bill, buy most of her groceries, I gave her a vehicle, which she can’t drive anymore, and purchase most of her clothing. She receives $872 a month on social security and $360 on retirement. Up until reading the blogs I didn’t know claiming her was an option. Would she qualify as a dependent for me. No one else claims her.

  43. My mom and brother get ssi and. Sociall security. They both llive with me and my husband. We tried to claim them on our taxes but our tax guy said we couldnt cuz there ssi will be taken away. Is this true?

    • Hi Rosa, Since your question is about Social Security benefits and not about income taxes, we can’t provide an answer. You may want to contact Social Security directly at the attached link for more guidance. Cheers… –Christopher

      http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/reach.htm

  44. My mother lives in a house on our property rent free. She does pay us 100 a month for electricity out of her $780 social security that she received (her only income) We paid insurance on the house, contents coverage, cable, water, taxes on the house. We do claim her as a dependent but not those expenses. What form and what of that can we deduct?

  45. My sister has lived with us for 7 months and we have provided all her care except medical which she doesn’t go to a DR. Can we claim her on our income tax?

  46. She moved in America in Aug 1st 2011.Total months lived in my house only 5 months,not half of the year.Can i still claim her as my dependent?

    • can you claim for your parents even if they live abroad and do not have a social security number? which forms/schedules are required to be completed for this?