You can claim a boyfriend or girlfriend as a dependent on your federal income taxes if that person meets the IRS definition of a "qualifying relative."
Key Takeaways
- You can claim a boyfriend or girlfriend as a dependent on your federal income taxes if that person meets certain Internal Revenue Service requirements.
- To qualify as a dependent, your partner must have lived with you for the entire calendar year and listed your home as their official residence for the full year.
- If your partner has gross income above a certain amount ($4,700 for tax year 2023), you can’t claim that person as a dependent.
- You must have paid more than half of your partner’s living expenses during the calendar year in which you’re claiming that person as a dependent.
Claiming a partner as a dependent
You can claim a boyfriend or girlfriend as a dependent on your federal income taxes if that person meets the Internal Revenue Service's definition of a "qualifying relative."
Don't get tripped up by the word "relative" here—according to the IRS, it can include an unrelated person who passes the four following tests concerning:
- Residency
- Income
- Support
- Status
Is your partner an official resident?
Your partner must be a member of your household, meaning that they lived with you for the entire calendar year.
The law makes exceptions for temporary absences, such as vacations and medical treatment, but your home must have been that person's official residence for the full year.
However, if your living situation violates local law, you cannot claim that individual as a dependent. In some states, "cohabitation" by unmarried people is against the law.
TurboTax Tip:
In some states, "cohabitation" by unmarried people is against the law. If your living situation violates local law, you can't claim that individual as a dependent.
How much does your partner earn?
If your partner has gross income above a certain amount, you cannot claim that person as a dependent.
- Gross income is any income from any source that's subject to tax, whether it's wages, interest on a bank account or other types of taxable income.
- The limit for gross income varies from year to year.
- For the 2023 tax year, the income limit is $4,700.
How much money do you spend on your partner?
You must have paid more than half of your partner’s living expenses during the calendar year for which you want to claim that person as a dependent.
When calculating the total amount of support, you must include money and support that you and other people provided as well as theindividual’s own funds.
In other words, if your partner took money from a savings account to pay for food, housing or other living expenses, and the total amount withdrawn is more than half of the person's living expenses, you cannot claim them as a dependent.
Are you the only person claiming your partner as a dependent?
If your partner is already being claimed as a dependent by another person, you can't also claim them as a dependent. Only one person (or tax return, in the case of married couples filing jointly) may claim a specific tax dependent in any given tax year. Also, you cannot generally claim a married person as a dependent if they file a joint return with their spouse.
Online help
The IRS website offers an online "assistant" that can help you determine whether your boyfriend or girlfriend qualifies as a dependent.
Of course, if you prepare your taxes with TurboTax, we'll ask simple questions about your living situation, and tell you exactly who can and cannot be claimed as your dependent.
With TurboTax Live Full Service, a local expert matched to your unique situation will do your taxes for you start to finish. Or, get unlimited help and advice from tax experts while you do your taxes with TurboTax Live Assisted.
And if you want to file your own taxes, you can still feel confident you'll do them right with TurboTax as we guide you step by step. No matter which way you file, we guarantee 100% accuracy and your maximum refund.
FAQs
To qualify as a dependent, your partner must receive more than half of his or her support from you. If your partner is a dependent, you might also be eligible for other favorable tax treatment. If you think that your partner might be your dependent under federal law, consult a tax professional.
Can you claim a domestic partner as a dependent? ›
To qualify as a dependent, your partner must receive more than half of his or her support from you. If your partner is a dependent, you might also be eligible for other favorable tax treatment. If you think that your partner might be your dependent under federal law, consult a tax professional.
What are the three requirements for the IRS to consider someone a dependant? ›
In addition to meeting the qualifying child or qualifying relative test, you can claim that person as a dependent only if these three tests are met:
- Dependent taxpayer test.
- Citizen or resident test, and.
- Joint return test.
Qualifying relatives can be unrelated, as long as they lived with the taxpayer all year. A taxpayer may not claim a housekeeper or other household employee as a dependent.
When can you claim someone as a dependent? ›
The child must be: (a) under age 19 at the end of the year and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly), (b) under age 24 at the end of the year, a full- time student, and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly), or (c) any age if permanently and totally disabled.
Can you claim an unmarried partner dependent? ›
You can claim a boyfriend or girlfriend as a dependent on your federal income taxes if that person meets certain Internal Revenue Service requirements. To qualify as a dependent, your partner must have lived with you for the entire calendar year and listed your home as their official residence for the full year.
How much can I get for claiming my girlfriend as a dependent? ›
Under tax reform, you can no longer claim a dependent exemption, but you still need to know who qualifies as your dependent for other tax benefits like the Other Dependent Credit worth up to $500 for those who are over 17 years old.
Can you claim adults as dependents on your taxes? ›
You can claim adults as dependents on your taxes if they meet the criteria for qualifying relatives. Many people can claim their elderly parents as a qualifying relative dependent. You can claim a domestic partner on your return as a dependent as long as they meet the requirements.
Who Cannot be claimed as a Dependant? ›
Claiming a Dependent: You can claim a child or relative as a dependent as long as no one else can claim that person as a dependent. Generally, you cannot claim someone as a dependent if he or she is married and filing a joint tax return. But there are a couple of exceptions to that rule.
Can I claim a friend as a dependent on my taxes? ›
Member of Household or Relationship: The person (a friend, girlfriend, non-blood relative) must live with you all year as a member of your household or be related to you.
The dependent's birth certificate, and if needed, the birth and marriage certificates of any individuals, including yourself, that prove the dependent is related to you. For an adopted dependent, send an adoption decree or proof the child was lawfully placed with you or someone related to you for legal adoption.
Can I claim my 30 year old son as a dependent? ›
There is no age limit for how long you can claim adult children or other relatives as dependents, but they must meet other IRS requirements to continue to qualify. Additionally, once they are over 18 and no longer a student, they can only qualify as an "other dependent," not a qualifying child.
Do you get less money if you are claimed as a dependent? ›
“If my parents claim me, do I lose money?” If a parent claims you as a dependent on their taxes, while they gain the ability to claim certain tax benefits associated with having a dependent, generally the dependent won't lose out on money directly.
Does the IRS recognize domestic partnerships? ›
The IRS doesn't recognize domestic partners or civil unions as a marriage. This means that on your federal return, you should file as single, head of household, or qualifying widow(er).
Can I claim my spouse as a dependent if they don't work? ›
Question: My spouse has not worked all year except for one month, can I claim him as a dependent? Answer: You cannot claim a spouse as a dependent. However, if you file married filing jointly, you may have more tax benefits.
Can I add my girlfriend to my health insurance if we live together? ›
Health insurance companies may allow someone to add a girlfriend or boyfriend to a policy, but only if that person is a domestic partner. A domestic partnership represents a major transitional phase in a relationship. You're living with that person instead of only seeing each other on dates.
Can you file taxes with someone you're not married to? ›
Income Tax
When an unmarried couple cohabitates, both partners will need to file an individual tax return at the end of the year. Unmarried couples may not file a joint tax return. What's your first name?
