Claiming a roommate
$500 credit
Can I Claim My Roommate as a Dependent?
Short answer: Only if they lived with you the entire year as a member of your household, earned under the income limit, and you paid over 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.
Claiming a roommate
$500 credit
Individuals / Personal Taxes
Only if they lived with you the entire year as a member of your household, earned under the income limit, and you paid over half their support.
Business justification
Only if they lived with you the entire year as a member of your household, earned under the income limit, and you paid over 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.
Category
- Personal Tax Deductions