I run a small e-commerce business and just filed my first LLC return. My oldest son turned 19 last year and is still living at home while going to college full-time. I’m wondering, can I still claim him as a dependent on my taxes, or did I just miss the cutoff because of his age?
Answer by: abdullah-al-naim
2 weeks ago
Yes, there’s an age limit; but it depends on a few factors.
If your child is under 19 at the end of the tax year, you can typically claim them as a qualifying child (as long as they lived with you for more than half the year and didn’t provide over half of their own support).
However, there’s an exception for students. If your child is a full-time student, the age limit extends to 24 years; again, as long as they meet these key conditions:
* They’re your child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, etc.
* They lived with you more than 6 months during the year.
* They didn’t provide more than half their own financial support.
* They were a full-time student for at least 5 months in the year.
After 24, or if they’re not in school full-time, they might still qualify as a “qualifying relative” but that’s a different test with stricter income limits.
⚠️ Quick tip: If your child has a part-time job or side hustle (like freelancing), be sure to check how much they earned; this can affect eligibility.
Taxes can get tricky when life changes, but claiming dependents is one of those areas where the IRS gives some breathing room if you\’re supporting your kids while they study. If you\’re still unsure, we can review your case and walk you through the next steps. Just reach out to us.
