Do I claim a dependent for my daughter that was in my care for 11 months in 2022. Currently she is not. If so how?

[Trek1]

Thank you for your question. 

The word dependant is defined as “a person who relies on another, especially a family member, for financial support”. For income tax purposes, The Canada Revenue Agency’s definition of dependant is similar, but who exactly qualifies for claiming an amount can vary by credit.

When you start a new return, TurboTax will ask Do you have children or financially support another person? in the Intro section of your return.

Info about your dependants (like their birth date, their relationship to you, and their income), is used to determine your eligibility for certain credits and deductions, so be sure to enter this info accurately.

To enter the dependant information using Turbo Tax online - 

1. Select Find from the menu on the top right side of your screen.
2. In the Find window, enter dependants and select Go.
3. Answer Yes to the question Do you have children or financially support another person?.
4. Complete the Tell us about your dependant(s) section.
5. Select Continue.

To enter the dependant information using Turbo Tax CD/ Download - 

1. Select Find from the menu and enter dependants.
2. Select Dependants from the list, then select Go.
3. If you've already entered one or more dependants, skip to Step 6. If not, answer Yes to the question Do you have children or financially support another person?, then select Continue.
4. Select Continue on the dependant transfer step.
5. Enter your dependant's information and select Continue.
6. On the Dependants Summary, select Enter New Dependant or Done With Dependants, as applicable. 

You may be able to claim an eligible dependant tax credit amount. 

To see your eligibility to claim this tax credit, click on the hyperlink - Answer these 2 questions. 

Claim this amount if, at any time in the year, you supported an eligible dependant and their net income from line 23600 of their return (or the amount that it would be if they filed a return) was less than your basic personal amount (plus $2,350 if they were dependent on you because of an impairment in physical or mental functions).

If you did not claim an amount on spousal or common-law partner amount (line 30300) of your return, you may be able to claim this amount for one dependant if, at any time in the year, you met all the following conditions:

• You did not have a spouse or common-law partner or, if you did, you were not living with them, supporting them, or being supported by them
• You supported the dependant in 2022
• You lived with the dependant (in most cases in Canada) in a home you maintained.

In addition, the dependant,  in the case of your child by blood or adoption also is either:

•  under 18 years of age or
•  18 years of age or older with an impairment in physical or mental functions

Note - If your dependant usually lives with you when not in school, the CRA considers that dependant to live with you for the purposes of this amount.

Here are links for more information - Who are Considered Dependants?  What is an eligible dependant amount? 

To add eligible dependant tax credit on Turbo Tax online -

1. Select Find (or the magnifying glass icon) from the menu.
2. Enter amount for an eligible dependant, and select Go. The Your children and other dependants screen appears.
3. Select Enter Credit Info. The Claim Dependant Credits screen appears.
4. If you haven’t already done so, check the box for Amount for an eligible dependant, then select Continue.
5. Answer Yes to the question Do you wish to make the claim for the amount for an eligible dependant?, and select Continue.
6. Repeat steps 3–5 for each of your dependants.
7. When you’re done entering all of your dependants, select Done Entering Credits

To add this credit in Turbo Tax CD/ Download - 

1. Select Find (or the magnifying glass icon) from the menu.
2. Enter claims for dependants, and select Go. The Claims for dependants page appears.
3. Answer Yes to the question Would you like to review or claim any of these credits?, then select Continue.
4. Select your first (or only) dependant from the list, then select Enter Dependant Credits.
5. Check the box for Amount for an eligible dependant, then select Continue.
6. Answer Yes to the question Do you wish to make the claim for the amount for an eligible dependant (formerly the "Equivalent-to-spouse amount")?, then select Continue.
7. Repeat steps 4–6 for each of your dependants.
8. When you’re done entering all of your dependants, select Done Entering Credits.

Thank you for choosing Turbo Tax.