Can I claim my elderly mom on my taxes?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows you to claim your elderly parent as a dependent on a tax return as long as no one else does. If you choose to claim an exemption for your parent, you must also ensure that you are not an eligible dependent to another taxpayer.

If you cared for an elderly parent, your parent may qualify as your dependent, resulting in additional tax benefits for you. Once you determine that both of you meet IRS criteria, you can claim your parent as a dependent on your tax return.

Can a taxpayer claim an elderly parent as a dependent?

If you choose to claim an exemption for your parent, you must also ensure that you are not an eligible dependent to another taxpayer. This restriction is effective even if the taxpayer who can claim you as a dependent chooses not to. Unlike claiming a child as a dependent, it is not necessary that your elderly parent live with you.

How does a parent get an exemption from taxes?

Your parent must not have earned or received more than the gross income test limit for the tax year. This amount is determined by the IRS and may change from year to year. Current exemption amounts can be found in IRS Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information.

How does taking care of a parent affect your taxes?

But, they don’t count wages paid to their parent, spouse or a child under the age of 21. Generally, employers can take a credit against their FUTA tax liability for amounts they paid into state unemployment funds. If they paid wages subject to the unemployment compensation laws of a credit reduction state, they may have a reduced FUTA tax credit.

How does a parent qualify as a dependent?

Your parent must first meet income requirements set by the Internal Revenue Service to be claimed as your dependent. To qualify as a dependent, your parent must not have earned or received more than the exemption amount for the tax year. This amount is determined by the IRS and may change from year to year.