Can we claim our adult child with disability as dependent? Does IRS verify disability status automatically?

Oh this is such a good question! 😊 The IRS doesn't automatically access your child's disability records from SSA when you file. They operate as separate systems even though they're both government agencies. What you'll need to do is be prepared to substantiate the claim if asked. This means having: - Medical documentation showing the disability - Proof that your child lived with you - Financial records showing you provided more than half their support You don't submit these with your return, but keep them ready in case of an audit or verification request. The dependency rules for qualifying relatives with disabilities are different from regular dependents, and it sounds like you qualify under the "qualifying relative" rules!

Wouldn't it be nice if government agencies actually shared information with each other? But of course they don't, and it costs us more money and time. From my experience, you'll need to be ready with documentation, but you likely won't need to provide it upfront. The IRS typically processes the return as filed unless something triggers a review. Isn't that how most tax situations work? And have you considered amending previous returns? You might be able to go back 3 years and claim this deduction if you qualified all along. Could be worth thousands depending on your tax bracket, right?

Think of the IRS and SSA like two siblings who don't talk to each other much at family gatherings. They're related, but they don't share their personal business automatically. In your situation, it's like having the receipt for an expensive purchase but not needing to show it unless the store calls you back questioning the return. The IRS accepts your claim at face value initially, but you need to keep that receipt (documentation) just in case. I've found that tax situations are like icebergs - what seems simple on the surface often has complexity underneath. You might consider consulting with a tax professional who specializes in disability tax issues before filing. It's like having a guide who's climbed the mountain before rather than trying to figure out the trail yourself.

I've been researching this extensively for my brother's situation. The IRS utilizes an internal verification protocol that may flag returns with newly claimed dependents for manual review, especially when the dependent is over the standard age threshold. If your return is selected for verification, you'll likely receive a CP75 Notice requesting substantiation. This is where many taxpayers encounter significant delays - the backlog for processing these verification requests can be substantial. I attempted to contact the IRS directly regarding my brother's case and spent 3+ hours on hold before being disconnected. I subsequently used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to secure a callback from an IRS representative within 30 minutes. The agent confirmed exactly what documentation would be required if we were selected for review. Have you considered using a service like this to get definitive guidance for your specific situation?

Here's the direct answer to your question: 1. No, the IRS does not automatically access SSA disability records when processing your tax return. 2. You don't need to include proof with your initial filing. 3. You should keep documentation ready in case of review. The key requirements for claiming an adult disabled child as a dependent are: - They must be permanently and totally disabled - The disability must have occurred before age 22 - You must provide more than half their support - Their gross income must be less than $4,700 (for 2023 tax year), but Social Security benefits generally don't count toward this limit If you meet these requirements, you can claim them as a qualifying child rather than a qualifying relative, which may provide additional tax benefits like the credit for other dependents.

I went through this exact situation with my son last year! We had no idea we could claim him as a dependent after he turned 19 because of his disability. When we filed, everything went through normally - no immediate flags or questions. About 3 months later, we did get a letter asking for verification. I sent in his disability determination letter, proof he lived with us, and a breakdown of our financial support. The whole verification process took about 6 weeks, but we eventually got our full refund with him as a dependent. The most helpful thing was having a folder with all his documentation already organized. This year, we claimed him again and didn't get any questions at all! I think once you're in their system as verified, it goes much smoother in subsequent years.

I've noticed a pattern with these dependent disability claims over the years. The IRS typically accepts them at face value during initial filing, but about 15-20% get selected for verification later. On February 12th this year, I helped my sister file with her disabled adult son as a dependent for the first time. By March 30th, she received a verification request. We submitted the documentation on April 15th, and she received her full refund on May 28th. The community wisdom here is pretty consistent: file accurately, be prepared with documentation, and be patient with the process. Most people I've helped through this have eventually received their full entitled benefits, even if it takes some extra time and paperwork. One other tip: if you do get selected for verification, respond as quickly and thoroughly as possible. This significantly reduces the overall wait time.