Claiming an 18-year-old
$500 credit
Can You Write Off Claiming an 18-year-old?
Short answer: Yes as a qualifying child under 19, but an 18-year-old is past the child tax credit age, so you get the $500 credit instead.
A qualifying child must live with you more than half the year, be under 19 (or under 24 and a full-time student, or any age if permanently disabled), and not provide over half their own support.
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 an 18-year-old
$500 credit
Individuals / Personal Taxes
Yes as a qualifying child under 19, but an 18-year-old is past the child tax credit age, so you get the $500 credit instead.
Business justification
Yes as a qualifying child under 19, but an 18-year-old is past the child tax credit age, so you get the $500 credit instead. A qualifying child must live with you more than half the year, be under 19 (or under 24 and a full-time student, or any age if permanently disabled), and not provide over half their own support.
Category
- Personal Tax Deductions