Can I claim my husband since I am his caregiver?

Also you can not claim head of household if you are married living with your husband.

Do not go to H&R Block. Their training only touches on the basic type of tax returns. Your situation is too indepth for them to help with your tax issues. A tax accountant certified in your state is your best solution.

I know it has been a long time since this question was posted. When in doubt about tax issues, call the IRS. This is pretty simple...if you are married and not separated file married, jointly. Your husband is not your dependent. If you need answers about state income taxes call your state tax agency for help. I don't know about your state, but Medicaid usually will cover prescriptions so it's not clear why you would be paying co-pays.

Contact the IRS and ask for form 120. Or ask them for the proper form. It is possible even if you file jointly!

He would have to go to phx for therapy etc and that is all day affair...hard enough to pay the sitter as it is. He won't go to the daycare here in town for adults...he prefers family over other patients with down or similar conditions to him. His family only care so much and do not bother unless its money and I am expect to inform them of everything which I do not have time for. My own family is barely holding on to each other after losing a grandmother last yr before thanksgiving. I moved here hoping to get the best care for him and so far it is stll the same bs. Next yr will be a lil easier I hope cuz my son will be in kindergarten and my daughter in 1st grade...the bliss of almost quiet house will be wonderful. i did get the taxes done to much chagrined filing jointly was the only way to go so I couldnt do any write offs until next yr and I do not even begun to wonder how to do that. As long as I have breath in my body and God embracing me I can do this...just too hard to see him like this way...

My heart goes out to you.

One other thing Christie, is there any type of physical therapy available for your husband? Check with SSI or social services.

Apology accepted!! I understand your stress and how overwhelming it can be. Is there any way you can put your husband into adult day care 1-2 times a week for a few hours? It would help you so much to have that time for yourself to do other things or just to relax while the children are in school or day care (head start). Also if you have any family members or friends of your husbands who can come by for a couple hours once a week would make such a difference for you. Please check into what social services can offer you. I don't know the law allows for the state of AZ in cases like this, but you never know, they may be able to help you. Please follow up on the Family Caregiver's Alliance. I wish you the best and God Bless!!

I apologize for my earlier statement and i am sorry if I read it out of context was a very frustrating day with the kids and all. I can't claim as dependent until he is 65 which he falls short of that be almost 46 so I had to file Jointly so not to owe any taxes which if i filed as head of household would owe 1300 so I lost out on the child tax credit and etc. I wish I could of been more kinder with my wording and yes to those are right I am not in ur situation but all our situations differ but still the same so I take back my statement of clueless judgement and decompress it to having a bad day as stated earlier. I am just too young to be in this situation as is my husband and our children. SO every day I am wrestling with questions from him and this and that person. So i am sincerely sorry for hurting feelings that I did not mean too. Its hard to make lemonade out of bunch lemons that are dry kinda hard to juice em if u follow my analogy correctly.

If there is anything else I can look up for you let me know.

http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=847

I looked this up on line for you: This is something that a lot of people don't understand and is a very clear example of why it's better to go see a tax preparer than trying to do it yourself.

If someone qualifies to be your dependent then you are eligable to take credits that they may be eligable for and you get to take a deduction for $3650. If that person is your spouse then you want to file jointly. If you do that then the joint return inculdes all of the benefits of claiming them as a dependent and then several more.

I must apologize if I said something that offended you. I meant that because many people have committed fraud the law is stricter on how it looks at situations. I never said you have committed fraud. I have no doubt that you are NOT doing such a thing. I agree with you, many churches fall short when it comes to helping in a situation as yours. Many people who are taking care of an elderly parent are in the same situation you are in, just read the posted questions on this cite. I believe you have read things out of context, I have read all the posts here and I see where not accused you of fraud, treated you with no validity. My heart goes out to you and I hope you find some answers and peace.

I'm not sure I understand your response. You sound offended. Actually, I thought I had one of the best suggestions that has been posted so far. You can't afford to pay anything, but you want clear and educated answers to your questions, as they pertain to the state that you live in, etc. I was just hoping that you would be able to get some no cost help through a local church. It's nice to know that you would forgive me if I was in your shoes????? You haven't walked in mine., so who are you to judge. Your questions have validity and your circumstances sound quite difficult. I really was trying to help.

my husband is bedridden with a heart condition...i can only leave to do errands and etc...recently being diagnosed with probable heart congestive failure not sure awaiting more results from the cardiologist. This town barely understands what a caregiver does...so I have no outlet or help from any church much less respite so again Its me doing all the supporting and taking it up to GOD and all I am asking for advice and in the state of AZ u can be a caregiver and I do not commit fraud hard enough to get what i need for hubby besides our children so if ur in my shoes I forgive you but if ur not in my shoes taking care of a parent vs spouse then I apologize but I will not be hinder or treated as tho my question has no validity when it does... Peace N God Bless

Maybe you can go to a local church, meet with the pastor, explain your circumstances and the help you need. The pastor will know if anyone in their membership has the talents, ie attorney, tax specialist, to help you and quite possibly they will be willing to do it for you at no charge. It sounds like you would truly benefit from being involved in a church community. They can be very loving, supportive and willing to help you get back on your feet.

The first consultation with an attorney should be no charge. I would look for an attorney who deals with disability insurance. Make some phone calls and they will direct you to the right attorney. Check into the Family Caregiver Alliance. I must say though that since you are married I do not believe you can get paid for being his caregiver simply because as a spouse, you are obligated. I know this makes your situation more stressful, however, I would talk with attorney who specializes in disability. A family member or friend can not be a paid caregiver because the changes for fraud can be very high. I am not saying you are doing anything illegal, it's just the way the law looks at it. If you have to have a second consultation with an attorney who specializes in taxes (no charge) then do it. I hope this helps.

Its means I take over what the govt gives him for his SSDI and the kids...I show them how I use the money for shelter-copay on meds-clothing-enterainment etc. I may be young but this is a whole new world for me and for real it isn't getting any easier. I cannot find a advocate to help me deal with it on all fronts. So I admit I have a weakness but I am learning...Let me tell you this is harder than HS homework so I am trying to be kind and patient. I am not trying to be rude either but doing what I can present the info as best as I can. If I lack clear thinking and structure its because I am beaten down and overwhelmed dealing with responsibilities as a mother.wife. caregiver etc etc. so if you are wearing as many hats as me and have been thru this pls give me advice or something I can use ...I cannot afford a lawyer or a tax consultant.

can you explain what becoming a PAYEE is? I think a lot of us could you a general type explanation that might help us a lot.

JEANBIRD

well I do not mean to be off base... lol but as it stands he has been unemployed since 07 from 07 to 09 He had a stroke that left him hemiplegia and I on the other hand found work sporadically ; didnt make enough for 2010 at all not even to get the child tax credit. Last yr I became his caregiver and Now soon to become His Payee. I work 14 hrs a wk x2 hrs every night x14 = 28 hrs via his case manager. I am soon to be 34 and he is soon to be 46 he has medicare and mediciad LTC. we have been married since 2000, our children are 5 and soon to be 7 in March. son is youngest and daughter is oldest. He was declared disable in 2011. I haven't tried to be vague but dealing with these questions in order to see what I can understand of the new tax laws etc and how much I can expect which I already figure is zilch but if you can provide tips pls do ty.

I think you are a bit off base asking these questions in a forum like this. First of all, your information is very vague and secondly, we are not tax accountants. Are you and your husband legally married and living together? Is he disabled and was he unemployed all of 2011. Did you provide more than half of his support in 2011. How old are your children. These are just basic questions to help us begin to understand your situation. Are you a home care aid by profession? Does your husband only need 2 hours care per day. I'd like to offer you some suggestions, but I don't understand your circumstances and think you need some expertise from a tax consultant. It sounds like you have some dire issues and I hope you find the help you need.

how does this work and H n R is willing to help me make him qualifying dependent but when I attempted to do my taxes online i end up with less so i am gonna see how it changes when i become his Payee for his checks . I still need another job or see if my agency will let me work with another client.. dunno at my wits end here so pls continue to post suggestions and advice. Needs more info regarding spouses as dependent not parents there is starting to be a change in the caregiving trend and i am doing it by ear so all tips are appreciated..

burnedncaringst,

Check out our Tax Tips for caregivers section to understand the tax laws and take advantage of the tax benefits that are available when supporting an elderly parent.

www.agingcare.com/Tax-Tips-for-Caregivers

Hopefully this will answer you tax question.

Also, here is an article related to claiming your parents as dependents.

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/Tax-Tips-for-Caregivers-Can-I-Claim-My-Elderly-Parent-as-a-Dependent-109238.htm

Karie H.
AgingCare.com Team

I doubt that you can claim him as a dependent. Married filing jointly would be my guess. Nevertheless, you should get some tax advise to find out what the facts are. No good guessing on tax filings.