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A dependent is a person other than the taxpayer or spouse who entitles the taxpayer to claim a dependency exemption.
Each dependency exemption decreases income subject to tax by the exemption amount.
For 2017, the exemption amount is $4050.
A taxpayer cannot claim a dependency exemption for a person who can be claimed as a dependent on another tax return.
The term "dependent" means a "qualifying child" or a "qualifying relative."
A. To claim a dependency exemption for a qualifying child, all of the qualifying child dependency tests must be met:
Dependent Taxpayer Test
Joint Return Test
Citizen or Resident Test
Relationship Test
Age Test
Residency Test
Support Test
B. To claim a dependency exemption for a qualifying relative, the person must meet the following tests:
Dependent Taxpayer Test
Joint Return Test
Citizen or Resident Test
Not a Qualifying Child Test
Member of Household or Relationship Test
Gross Income Test
Support Test
Responsibility of parent. Generally, a child is responsible for filing his or her own tax return and for paying any tax on the return. If a dependent child must file an income tax return but cannot file due to age or any other reason, then a parent, guardian, or other legally responsible person must file it for the child. If the child cannot sign the return, the parent or guardian must sign the child's name followed by the words “By (your signature), parent for minor child.” Child's earnings. Amounts a child earns by performing services are included in his or her gross income and not the gross income of the parent. This is true even if under local law the child's parent has the right to the earnings and may actually have received them. But if the child doesn't pay the tax due on this income, the parent is liable for the tax.
Certain Children Under Age 19 or FullTime Students
If a child's only income is interest and dividends (including capital gain distributions and Alaska Permanent Fund dividends), the child was under age 19 at the end of 2017 or was a full-time student under age 24 at the end of 2017, and certain other conditions are met, a parent can elect to include the child's income on the parent's return. If this election is made, the child doesn't have to file a return.