Which child to claim as dependent?

[missaimee9]

I have claimed single for years and have used my oldest child for the equivalent to spouse amount. This year she has income but it is still under 18.

I also have a 9 year old with obviously zero income. Can I use this child and claim the full amount or do I need to claim my oldest until they are over 18?

[tulip991]

You claim both your children as dependents, as they both live with you. Your daughter earning an income will affect your tax return no matter what. Her income is added to the total family income. 

To clarify,

• You need to enter both children as dependents. 
• You can only claim one child for the Eligible Dependant Amount (EDA) if you were a single parent at some point during the year.
• As any income earned by the child affects the amount you are claiming for the EDA, it is advisable to claim the child with a lower income (or none).
• The only credit or benefit affected by the child's income is the Eligible Dependant Amount itself. This will have an effect on the bottom line of your tax return only, and that is why choosing to claim your younger child is recommended. 

For more information, please visit our TurboTax article, 

Who Can I Claim as a Dependant on my Tax Return?

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