Question

If I pay dependent care expenses for a disabled adult dependent, can I claim dependent expenses, i.e, the child and dependent care credit?

Answer

You can claim dependent credit for a disabled adult dependent if your child and dependent care expenses are for either:

  • Your spouse who was both:
    • Not physically or mentally able to care for himself or herself because of a physical or mental disability
    • Living with you for more than half of the year
  • A dependent adult who was all of these:
    • Not physically or mentally able to care for himself or herself
    • Living with you for more than half of the year
    • Either:
      • Your dependent
      • Someone who would have been your dependent except that the person:
        • Received gross income of $4,400 or more
        • Filed a joint return
        • Could’ve been claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2022 return

A person with a physical disability or a mental disability is someone who:

  • Can’t dress, clean, or feed himself or herself
  • Requires constant attention to prevent injury to the disabled person or others

 

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