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.

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! This is exactly the kind of real-world insight I was hoping to find. It sounds like the consensus is clear: the IRS and SSA don't automatically share information, so I need to be prepared with documentation but don't need to submit it upfront. Based on what I'm reading here, my plan is to: 1. File this year claiming our child as a dependent 2. Keep organized records of medical documentation, support expenses, and proof of residency 3. Be patient if we receive a verification request 4. Consider whether amending previous years is worth the potential hassle The point about Social Security benefits not counting toward the gross income limit is huge - that was one of my biggest concerns! And @Camila Castillo, it's encouraging to hear that subsequent years went smoother once you were verified in the system. Given that we're PCSing soon, I think I'll go ahead and file this year but hold off on amending previous returns until we're settled. One major tax situation at a time seems like the smart approach. Really appreciate this community sharing their knowledge - it's saving me a lot of stress and potentially costly mistakes!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to say how impressed I am with the quality of advice being shared here! Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly educational. I'm dealing with a similar situation with my adult daughter who has autism. She's 24 and receives SSI benefits. We've been providing her full support but never knew we could claim her as a dependent until a coworker mentioned it recently. From what I'm reading here, it seems like the key is having good documentation ready and being patient with the process. @Victoria Brown's breakdown of the requirements was particularly helpful - I had no idea that SSI payments don't count toward the gross income limit! One question I have: for those who have been through this process, how detailed should the support documentation be? Should I track every grocery receipt and utility bill, or is a more general breakdown of major expenses sufficient? Also, has anyone here had experience with this when the adult child lives in a group home part-time but still spends significant time at the family residence? I'm wondering if that complicates the "living with you" requirement. Thanks for creating such a supportive space for people navigating these complex tax situations!

As someone who's new to this community, I'm really grateful for all the detailed experiences everyone has shared! I've been lurking and reading through tax discussions here for a while, but this thread convinced me to finally create an account and join the conversation. I'm currently helping my elderly neighbor navigate a similar situation with their adult son who has cerebral palsy. They've been his primary caregivers for years but never realized they could claim him as a dependent. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so much more helpful than trying to parse through the official IRS publications alone. What strikes me most is how consistent everyone's advice has been about keeping documentation ready but not submitting it upfront. That seems to be the golden rule for these situations. I'm also fascinated by the stories about amended returns - it sounds like it can be worth pursuing but requires patience. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen discussed much: has anyone here had experience with state tax implications when claiming an adult disabled dependent? I'm wondering if different states handle this differently or if they generally follow federal guidelines. Thanks for making this such a welcoming and informative community for people dealing with complex tax situations!

As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I've been doing my own taxes for years but never realized how many nuances exist around disability dependents. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm struck by how the IRS operates on a "trust but verify" basis - they'll process your return initially but may circle back later for documentation. It's reassuring to see that multiple people have successfully navigated this process, even when it involved some back-and-forth with verification requests. What I find most valuable about this discussion is the practical timeline information people have shared. Knowing that verification requests might come 3+ months after filing, and that the documentation review process can take 6-9 weeks, really helps set realistic expectations. I don't have this exact situation myself, but I have an aging parent with some health issues, and this conversation has me wondering if there might be similar dependency opportunities I've been overlooking. The emphasis everyone has placed on keeping organized documentation seems like good advice for any complex tax situation. Thank you all for creating such a thorough and supportive discussion - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that's so hard to find in official tax publications!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by the wealth of practical knowledge shared here! This thread has been incredibly informative for someone like me who's still learning to navigate complex tax situations. What really stands out to me is how everyone emphasizes the importance of being prepared rather than being proactive - keeping documentation ready without submitting it upfront seems to be the winning strategy. The real-world timelines people have shared (3+ months for potential verification requests, 6-9 weeks for processing) are so much more helpful than the vague guidance you typically find in official publications. I'm particularly grateful for the clarification about Social Security benefits not counting toward the gross income limit - that's the kind of crucial detail that could make or break someone's eligibility decision. And the consistent message about digital documentation organization seems like solid advice for anyone dealing with complex tax situations, not just disability dependents. While I don't currently have this specific situation, reading through everyone's experiences has made me much more aware of potential tax opportunities I might be missing. This community really demonstrates how shared knowledge and real experiences can demystify complicated tax scenarios. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and educational environment!