Taxes
Claiming dependents correctly (and the documentation you need)
Due diligence is not paperwork for its own sake. Here's what supports a dependent claim and why it protects you.
MWFS Education Team · Published Nov 19, 2025 · 6 min read
Dependent-related credits are among the largest amounts on many returns, which is precisely why they carry the strictest substantiation expectations.
Qualifying child vs. qualifying relative
- Relationship: how the person is related to you.
- Residency: how much of the year they lived with you.
- Age: applicable limits, with exceptions for students and disability.
- Support: who provided more than half of the person's support.
When two people could claim the same child
Tie-breaker rules determine who may claim the child when more than one person qualifies. Agreeing informally between households does not override them, and duplicate claims are flagged.
MWFS will not prepare a return claiming a dependent we cannot support with documentation. That standard exists to protect you from a later adjustment.
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