Even though each individual tax return is different, some tax rules
affect every person who may have to file a federal income tax return.
These rules include dependents and exemptions. Here are six important
facts about dependents and exemptions that will help you file your 2011
tax return.
1. Exemptions reduce your taxable income. There are two types of
exemptions: personal exemptions and exemptions for dependents. For each
exemption you can deduct $3,700 on your 2011 tax return.
2. Your spouse is never considered your dependent. On a joint return,
you may claim one exemption for yourself and one for your spouse. If
you’re filing a separate return, you may claim the exemption for your
spouse only if they had no gross income, are not filing a joint return,
and were not the dependent of another taxpayer.
3. Exemptions for dependents. You generally can take an exemption for
each of your dependents. A dependent is your qualifying child or
qualifying relative. You must list the Social Security number of any
dependent for whom you claim an exemption.
4. If someone else claims you as a dependent, you may still be
required to file your own tax return. Whether you must file a return
depends on several factors including the amount of your unearned, earned
or gross income, your marital status and any special taxes you owe.
5. If you are a dependent, you may not claim an exemption. If someone
else – such as your parent – claims you as a dependent, you may not
claim your personal exemption on your own tax return.
6. Some people cannot be claimed as your dependent. Generally, you
may not claim a married person as a dependent if they file a joint
return with their spouse. Also, to claim someone as a dependent, that
person must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national or
resident of Canada or Mexico for some part of the year. There is an
exception to this rule for certain adopted children. See IRS Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information for additional tests to determine who can be claimed as a dependent.
For more information on exemptions, dependents and whether you or your dependent needs to file a tax return, see IRS Publication 501. The publication is available at www.irs.gov
or can be ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). You can also
use the Interactive Tax Assistant at www.irs.gov to determine who you
can claim as a dependent and how much you can deduct for each exemption
you claim. The ITA tool is a tax law resource on the IRS website that
takes you through a series of questions and provides you with responses
to tax law questions.
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