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Claiming a grandparent

$500 credit

Can I Claim My Grandparent as a Dependent?

Short answer: Yes: a grandparent can be your qualifying relative without living with you if you pay more than half their support.

A qualifying relative must have gross income under the yearly limit (about $5,200), get more than half their support from you, and not be anyone else's qualifying child; they're worth the $500 credit for other dependents.

Records to keep: Keep receipts, statements (1098, 1098-T, 1099, W-2G), and a note of what each cost was for. Compare itemizing to the 2026 standard deduction before you claim.