Who can I claim on my return? Can I claim my parents?

You can claim many relatives that financially rely on you for support as "dependents" on your tax return, though the rules for different relatives can be a little complicated. 

The most common type of dependent is your child or children. Generally, the IRS allows you to include your child or children on your tax return as a dependent if they live with you most of the year and if you pay most of their living costs for the year. You usually qualify to  claim a young person who is your sibling, stepchild, or grandchild if they live with you for most the year and if you pay most of their living costs for the year. 

The less common type of dependent is a relative. Generally, if you pay most of the living costs for someone who lives with you all year or someone who is your relative, you can include them on your tax return. You cannot include a spouse as a dependent, instead you’ll need to file a joint return, even if they don’t have any income. 

If you have questions about who you can include on your tax return, it might be best to choose our FIle with Help option, where your tax team can walk you through the definitions and make sure it is appropriate for you to claim your relatives.