Dependent Qualification Calculator
Check if you can claim someone as a tax dependent. See qualifying child vs relative rules.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications
Qualifies?
Yes
Tax Credit
$2,200.00
Details
| Dependent Type | Qualifying Child |
| Credit Amount | CTC $2,200 |
| Head of Household | Eligible |
Use the Dependent Qualification Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How It Works
Claiming a dependent can shift your tax outcome considerably, unlocking benefits such as the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents that may be worth thousands. This tool walks through whether a given person clears the bar for the 2026 tax year, so you file on solid footing rather than on assumption. The rules are specific, and getting them right is what separates a valid claim from one the IRS rejects.
Federal law sorts dependents into two buckets, and the evaluation works through both using 2026 tax law. A Qualifying Child is tested on age, residency, support, and the joint return rule, while a Qualifying Relative is measured against an income ceiling, support, and the requirement that the person is not a qualifying child of someone else. For 2026, the gross income limit on the relative path is $5,300. Each test is checked in turn to land on a clear yes or no.
Providing financial support, on its own, does not make someone your dependent; every applicable test has to be satisfied. It is also possible for a person who meets the qualifying child tests to be claimed instead as a qualifying relative by a different taxpayer when they live with you less than half the year. Detailed records of the support you supplied and where the person resided are what back up the claim if questions arise.
Example: Claiming Your College-Aged Daughter
- 1 You provide over half the support for your 20-year-old daughter, who lives with you for 7 months of the year while attending college. She earned $4,000 from a part-time job in 2026.
- 2 The calculator first assesses if she's a Qualifying Child: she's under 24 and a full-time student, meets the residency test (lived with you more than half the year), and you provided over half her support. Her $4,000 income doesn't disqualify her for the Child Tax Credit if she's your qualifying child.
- 3 Result: Your daughter qualifies as your 'Qualifying Child' for the 2026 tax year.
- 4 This means you can likely claim the Child Tax Credit (up to $2,200 if eligible) and potentially other education credits, as she meets all the necessary criteria for a qualifying child.
Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim my 20-year-old college student as a dependent?
Can I claim my parent as a dependent?
What is the difference between a qualifying child and qualifying relative?
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