TurboTax AnswerXchange Question of the Month: Who Can Qualify As My Dependent?

We’re continuing our new series on the TurboTax blog that is all about YOUR tax questions. Each month, we’re highlighting a different trending question from the TurboTax AnswerXchange, our online tax community that provides personal answers to taxpayer questions.

This months TurboTax AnswerXchange question of the month is: Who Can Qualify As My Dependent?
Issues about dependents are some of the most common questions from taxpayers and have been a hot topic on AnswerXchange.

If you have questions about who qualifies as your dependent, and what the dependent exemption is, read on.

Q: Who can qualify as my dependent?

A: The short answer is, if you’re supporting someone who lives with you, you may be able to claim him or her as a dependent. Beyond the home, if you provide over half of the support for a family member, they may also count as a dependent. This ranges from nieces and nephews to stepparents and even in-laws.

While dependent rules may seem tricky, TurboTax makes it simple, ensuring you receive every tax break for dependents you deserve. All it takes is answering simple questions about your dependent.

For every dependent you have, you can claim a dependent exemption on your federal income tax return worth $3,950 when you file your 2014 taxes in 2015.

Learn more about the ins and outs of dependent exemptions at the TurboTax AnswerXchange and discover more answers to trending questions from TurboTax support experts and customers like you.