Who counts as a dependent and qualifying relative in 2025

Claiming a dependent can unlock valuable tax benefits, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood areas of the tax code. Every filing season, tax professionals field the same questions: Can I claim my elderly parent? What about my adult child who moved back home? And no matter how much you love your furry friend, no, you still cannot claim your dog (even if someone in New York is suing the IRS to try). 

For 2025, the IRS continues to divide dependents into two categories: qualifying children and qualifying relatives. The rules haven’t changed dramatically, but enforcement remains tight, making accuracy more important than ever. 

Qualifying child: more than just age

A qualifying child must meet five IRS tests: relationship, age, residency, support and joint return. The child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling or a descendant of one of those individuals. For age, the child must be under 19 at the end of the year or under 24 if a full-time student. There’s no age limit if the child is permanently and totally disabled.

Residency is a common stumbling block. The child must live with you for more than half the year. Temporary absences for school, medical care or military service usually count as time at home. Support is also key: the child cannot have provided more than half of their own support during the year. Finally, the child cannot file a joint return unless it’s only to claim a refund.

When these tests are met, the child may qualify you for benefits such as the child tax credit, the credit for other dependents, head of household filing status and education credits. For tax professionals, documenting residency and support is critical, especially in shared custody situations. 

Qualifying relative: not just relatives

Despite the name, a qualifying relative doesn’t have to be related. The IRS uses four tests: not a qualifying child, member of household or relationship, gross income and support.

1. The person cannot be someone else’s qualifying child. 
2. They must either live with you all year as a member of your household or be related in one of the ways listed by the IRS (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, in-law, etc.). Cousins generally don’t qualify unless they live with you all year.
3. Gross income matters. To qualify, the dependent’s gross income must be less than the annual exemption amount set by the IRS. For 2025, it is $5,200; you can find it in Pub. 4011. 
4. You must also provide more than half of the person’s total support for the year.

This category commonly applies to aging parents, adult children with limited income or relatives with disabilities. It can also apply to unrelated individuals who live with you full time, as long as all tests are met. 

No, your dog is still not a dependent

Every few years, a story captures public attention like the recent case of a New York woman suing the IRS, arguing her dog should qualify as a dependent because of the emotional and financial support involved. While her case has made headlines (and probably made a few tax pros chuckle), the law is clear: a dependent must be a person. Pets, service animals and emotional support animals do not qualify as dependents under any circumstance. 

While certain medical expenses related to service animals may be deductible, see Pub. 502, claiming an animal as a dependent is not allowed. For tax professionals, this case is a great reminder that novelty arguments don’t override statutory definitions no matter how much your dog feels like family. 

Why this still matters

Dependent errors remain a leading cause of IRS correspondence, audits and delayed refunds. With refundable credits tied to dependents, the IRS continues to scrutinize claims closely. Proper due diligence is not optional, especially for preparers subject to penalties.

For taxpayers, understanding these rules can prevent costly mistakes and unrealistic expectations. For professionals, mastering nuances builds trust and protects your practice. 

Take the next step

If you want a deeper, practical walk-through of real-world scenarios, documentation requirements and common traps, the upcoming webinar Identifying Qualifying Dependents and Qualifying Relatives is the logical next step. The session takes place Jan. 21 from 2-3 p.m. CT and is designed for tax professionals who want clarity they can apply immediately.

The rules may look simple on paper, but dependents rarely are. Staying sharp is how you serve clients well and keep the IRS (and any would-be canine dependents) at bay.