{"id":41825,"date":"2019-01-28T10:35:33","date_gmt":"2019-01-28T16:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/?p=41825"},"modified":"2019-01-30T12:33:02","modified_gmt":"2019-01-30T18:33:02","slug":"joint-return-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/filing\/dependents\/joint-return-test\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Joint Return Test?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The joint return test is a test created by the IRS that you can use to determine if you can claim another person as a dependent on your taxes. Essentially, the joint return test states that if you can file with the status of married filing jointly, you can\u2019t be someone else\u2019s dependent. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if you’re married and can file with your spouse, your parents will not be able to claim you as a dependent on their return.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, two situations allow for an exception to the joint return test. You can still qualify as a dependent if both of these apply:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. You or your spouse files a joint return only to claim a refund for tax withheld.<\/li>\n
  2. If you or your spouse filed separate returns, neither of you would owe tax.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Dependent Taxpayer Test<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Similar to the joint return test, the dependent taxpayer test determines when someone can be claimed as a dependent by another person. The dependent taxpayer test specifies that any taxpayer who can be claimed as a dependent can\u2019t claim someone else as a dependent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    If that sounds confusing, ask yourself, \u201cCan someone claim me as a dependent?\u201d If the answer to that question is yes<\/em>, then you can\u2019t claim someone else as a dependent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you have questions about whether or not someone can claim you as a dependent, our tax pros can help. Visit your local H&R Block tax office<\/a> to make an appointment and speak with one of our knowledgeable pros.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The joint return test is a test created by the IRS that you can use to determine if you can claim another person as a dependent on your taxes. Essentially, the joint return test states that if you can file with the status of married filing jointly, you can\u2019t be someone else\u2019s dependent. \u00a0 For […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":658,"featured_media":43564,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,125],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dependents","category-filing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"Joint Return Test | H&R Block<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Trying to determine if you can be claimed as a dependent? 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