Question

Brad and Bessie have been happily married for 25 years. They have filed married filing joint every year of those 25 since they are happily married and consider themselves as one. They have two sons Bryan and Butch. Bryan is 19 years old and Butch is 14 years old. Bryan lived in his parents' home from January through August and he lived in his own apartment from September through December. During the year, Bryan attended college for one month before dropping out. Bryan’s living expenses totaled $12,000 for the year. Of that, he paid $5,000 from income he received while working a part time job. Brad and Bessie provided the remaining $7,000 of Bryan’s support. Butch lived at home the entire year and did not earn any income. Who are Brad and Bessie allowed to claim as dependents? Determine if they meet the qualifying child or qualifying relative test.

Answer 1

Criterias for qualifying as Dependent for child:

1) Those who are under the age of 19, a full time student under age 24 and For disabled child there is no age limit.

2) Must have lived with tax payer for more than half the year.

3)Have not earned half of their financial support.

Here Brayan will not be considered as Dependent because, he is 19 years old and the criteria is it has to be under 19 years old unless he is a student but he dropped the school so the criteria doesn't meet.

Butch qualifies all the criteria for being dependent.

So Brad and Bessie will claim butch as Dependent.

Brayan does not meet the qualifying child test as he is not dependent due to his age factor. Also he doesn't meet the qualifying relative test as his income is more than 4200 dollars.

Butch meets the requirements of qualifying child test because he meets the requirements to be their dependents for tax purpose.