My mom moved in with me last year after her health started declining. She doesn’t work, has no income besides a small pension, and I cover most of her expenses: rent, groceries, medicine, everything. When I was doing my taxes, someone mentioned I might be able to claim her as a dependent. Is that even possible?
Answer by: abdullah-al-naim
2 weeks ago
Yes, you might be able to claim your parent as a dependent, but there are a few boxes you’ll need to tick first.
Here’s what the IRS generally looks for:
* Their income must be below $5,200 (for the 2025 tax year, not including Social Security in most cases).
* You must provide over 50% of their financial support.
* They don’t have to live with you (but in your case, she does, which is even clearer).
* They must be a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or resident of Canada or Mexico.
So, based on what you shared, your mom has limited income, lives with you, and you’re handling most of her expenses. It sounds like you’re on the right track.
A few tips:
* Keep records of the support you provide: bank transfers, grocery bills, rent receipts, etc.
* If your mom’s Social Security is her only income, it might not count toward the income limit.
* And no, you don’t need her to be listed as a dependent on your healthcare plan or anything like that to qualify.
If you’re still unsure, talking to a tax pro (or a CPA familiar with family-related deductions) can help make sure you’re claiming things correctly.
