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Jessica Nelson · Dec 26, 2005, 11:55 AM

Hello,

Can I take my daughter and her daughter (my granddaughter) as dependants even though she receives public assistance (food stamps and $200/mo cash)?

Thanks!

Jessica

Fr_Chuck · Dec 26, 2005, 12:01 PM

Is either of them filing and claiming thierself or is she claiming her daughter as a dependent.

Also do they live with you.

And you will have to meet the requirements provided for by the IRS for them to be a dependent.

So the answer is maybe ?

I am not a tax expert, I took several tax classes about 5 years ago, but laws change too fast.

Your very best bet is to use a reliable tax preparing service and have all supporting details with you.

Jessica Nelson · Dec 26, 2005, 12:33 PM

Yes, they do live with me. I didn't think my daughter could file. She doesn't work. Do you know, is it possible for her to file and get a refund using her daughter as a dependent even though she doesn't work?

AtlantaTaxExpert · Dec 26, 2005, 02:47 PM

Jessica:

If you provide at least half of her and her daughter's total support, then it does not matter if your daughter does not matter if she files a tax return herself or not. Since she is your child, it does not matter whether she lives with you or not. It does matter if your graddaughter lived with you.

The public assistance is not considered income for tax purposes, so it is unlikely your daughter will even have to file a tax return at all. If she does file, she cannot claim herself and have you claim her as well. That, by the way, is exclusively her decision whether she claims herself or her daughter. You need her cooperation for you to claim her and/or your granddaughter.]