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
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 the individual's own funds.
Can I claim a boyfriend girlfriend as a dependent on income taxes? ›
A boyfriend or girlfriend can be claimed as a dependent if they pass some of the same tests used to determine if your child or relative can be claimed as a dependent. First, your significant other cannot be claimed as a dependent if they are eligible to be claimed as a dependent on another tax return.
Can I claim my girlfriend as a dependent if she is on disability? ›
Yes, you may be able to claim your girlfriend as a dependent if: You provided more than half of her support. She made less than $4,050 in gross taxable income. (Social Security income generally doesn't count here.)
What qualifies someone as a dependent? ›
Relationship: Be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, half-sister or -brother, stepbrother, stepsister, adopted child or the child of one of these. Age: Be under age 19 or under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled.
Is my girlfriend considered my spouse for taxes? ›
Registered domestic partners may not file a federal return using a married filing separately or jointly filing status. Registered domestic partners are not married under state law. Therefore, these taxpayers are not married for federal tax purposes.
How do you file taxes if you are not married but living together? ›
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. We're looking for attorney matches in your area. Please tell us how they can get in touch for a consultation.
Can I claim head of household if my girlfriend lives with me? ›
You can't use the Head of Household filing status with a boyfriend/girlfriend because this person is not related to you in the required ways. Learn more about the rules of whether you can claim a boyfriend/girlfriend as a dependent on your income taxes.
Can I claim someone on Social Security as a dependent? ›
Generally speaking, if your SSI-collecting dependent meets all other regulations required, you can legally claim them. That said, you must account for these benefits when considering their living expenses.
Can I claim a domestic partner as a dependent? ›
The IRS doesn't allow you to claim a domestic partner as your only dependent and file as a Head of Household. The only way to claim a domestic partner as a dependent and also file under the Head of Household filing status is also to have another qualifying dependent on your return.
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.
A person cannot be claimed as a dependent unless that person is a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico, for some part of the year. (There is an exception for certain adopted children.)
Who qualifies for the $500 other dependent credit? ›
The maximum credit amount is $500 for each dependent who meets certain conditions. This credit can be claimed for: Dependents of any age, including those who are age 18 or older. Dependents who have Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers.
What proof do I need to claim my nephew on my taxes? ›
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.
How much can I get for claiming my girlfriend as a dependent? ›
This can help you qualify for certain tax credits and deductions when you file your taxes, ultimately saving you money. For example, if your significant other qualifies as your dependent, you may be able to claim the Credit for Other Dependents, a tax credit worth up to $500.
Is a girlfriend a spouse or domestic partner? ›
The domestic partnership is a legal relationship between two people of the same or opposite sex who live together and share a domestic life, but are not married or joined by a civil union nor are blood relatives.
Does girlfriend count as household income? ›
Household income includes every member of a family who lives under the same roof, including spouses and their dependents. The incomes of everyone count even if they aren't all used to support the household. Household income also includes anyone living in that home even if they're not related.
Is my boyfriend considered part of my household? ›
Include an unmarried domestic partner only if you have a child together or you'll claim your partner as a tax dependent. Don't include people you just live with — unless they're a spouse, tax dependent, or covered by another exception in this chart.
Can I claim my girlfriend as a dependent if she is a full time student? ›
To be considered a qualifying child, the dependent must meet certain criteria, such as being under the age of 19 (or 24 if a full-time student), not providing more than half of their own support, and being a U.S. citizen or resident alien.
Can I claim my girlfriend's child as a dependent if they live with me? ›
Yes you can claim your biological child and you can claim a boyfriend or girlfriend and their children as dependents if they are your qualifying relatives. See notes below for qualifying relative. they are not a qualifying child of another taxpayer. they meet all of the requirements above to be a qualifying relative.
