beechersgirl asked:
What is the maximum amount of social security benefits that a person can receive and still be considered someones dependent? My mother gets SS, but not enough to live on her own, rent an apartment, etc. Does the fact that she receives any SS benefits mean that she cannot be considered my dependent?
What is the maximum amount of social security benefits that a person can receive and still be considered someones dependent? My mother gets SS, but not enough to live on her own, rent an apartment, etc. Does the fact that she receives any SS benefits mean that she cannot be considered my dependent?
Correct
Comment by Really — March 12, 2010 @ 11:36 am
No, Social security is not counted towards earned income. But you do have to count Social security and other income she had to see if you paid over half of her support for the year.
She would be a qualifying relative, if you lived together, and you paid over half of her support for the year, and if she did not have more than $3650 of earned income for the year. If all of her income is Social Security and you paid over half of her support then yes she is your dependant, and then check to see if you qualify for head of household for a better tax break too.
Comment by d_1799 — March 14, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
There are a couple tests to meet, support and income.
The income test says the dependent can’t have over $3650 income for the year – ss doesn’t count toward that though.
The support test says you have to show that you provided over half of the person’s support to claim them. And ss DOES count for that, so if she got $7000 in ss you’d have to show that you provided at least $7001 toward her support.
Comment by Judy — March 15, 2010 @ 4:14 am