How to Claim Dependent Children on Taxes

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows you to claim tax exemptions for your dependent children, which reduces the amount of income upon which you have to pay taxes. For 2010, each dependent child decreased your taxable income by $3,650, so if you were eligible to claim two children as exemptions, you would have reduced your taxable income by $7,300. If you file separately from your spouse, keep in mind you can claim children as exemptions on only one tax return.

Things You'll Need

• Children's Social Security numbers

Instructions

1. Assess whether your children count as dependents for tax purposes. To be claimed as a dependent, the child must be younger than 19, live with you at least half the year and not supply more than half of his own needs. You can also claim full-time students up to age 24 and permanently mentally or physically disabled children of any age.

2. Gather the children's Social Security numbers.

3. Write each child's name, Social Security number and relationship to you on line 6c of Form 1040 or Form 1040A.

4. Add the total number of exemptions you are claiming for children to the exemptions you claim for yourself and your spouse (if applicable) to calculate your total number of exemptions. Write this number in the box on line 6d.

Tips & Warnings

• If a child files her own tax return, you may still be able to claim her as a dependent as long as she meets the requirements and does not claim herself on her own tax return.

• You can claim dependents on your taxes only if you file using Form 1040 or Form 1040A. If you file using Form 1040EZ, you cannot claim dependents.

References

• IRS: Publication 501
• IRS: Which Tax Form?