Client Question: My Child Is Working; Can I Still Claim Them on My Taxes?

Home » Blog » Client Question: My Child Is Working; Can I Still Claim Them on My Taxes?

Teenager jobIf they’re 18 or younger, yes.

Once your child marries, you can no longer claim them, even if you’re supporting them.

It’s when they get older that it gets tricky. In order to claim your child who is over 18, they must be a full-time student for 5 months or more and you must have supported them for the year. Their yearly income can exceed $3,700 for the year.

If your child is over 18 but not a full-time student, the only way you claim them is if they make less than $3,700 for the year, and you must have paid over half of their living expenses.

Once your child turns 24, it no longer matters if they’re a student or not. The only way to claim them is if they make $3,700 or less for the whole year.

Your child may need to file a tax return, but they must specify they are being claimed by someone else. If they do not, this can cause problems with your tax return. There are ways of fixing this, but it will take time and other tax preparation fees may accrue.

I hope this clarifies whether or not you can claim your working child. It can get complicated. If you need any more clarification, call our office at 915-857-8158.