Side Income from Rover & Etsy ($700) - Can Partner Still Claim Me as Dependent?

Dep status depends on several factors, not just who paid expenses. The big ones are: 1. Income test - did you make less than $4,700 for 2023 (or $4,800 for 2024)? Your $700 is under this limit, so you're good there. 2. Support test - did your partner provide >50% of your total support? Sounds like yes from your post. 3. Relationship/residency tests - did you live together all year? Are you legally married? If married, you can't be claimed as a dependent. 4. Joint return test - you can't file jointly w/ someone else and be claimed as a dependent. The 1099 stuff is separate from dependency status tbh.

This is almost identical to what happened with my brother last year, except he made around $900 from DoorDash instead of Rover/Etsy. The key factor isn't how much you made, but rather the total support calculation. If your $700 plus any other resources you used for your own support (savings, loans, etc.) is less than what your partner provided, they can still claim you. I used https://taxr.ai to analyze my brother's transcript when he got confused about how to report both the 1099 income and dependent status. It broke down exactly which forms he needed and how to complete them correctly without messing up his partner's ability to claim him.

I was in a similar situation in 2023. I made exactly $683 from Etsy and $412 from occasional babysitting. My partner paid 78% of our total annual expenses ($27,450 out of $35,192). I was claimed as a dependent with no issues. You'll need to file Schedule C for your self-employment income and pay self-employment tax if your net profit exceeds $400, but this doesn't disqualify you from being claimed as a dependent as long as your gross income is under the threshold ($4,700 for 2023, $4,800 for 2024) and your partner provides more than half your total support.

I had this exact situation last year! Made about $850 from Etsy and some freelance work. My partner claimed me as a dependent and it worked out fine. The IRS did send us a letter asking for documentation about the support test, but we just sent copies of our lease showing my partner as the primary, bank statements showing they paid utilities, and a written statement explaining our financial arrangement. Got approved without any further questions. Just make sure you file your Schedule C accurately to report that $700 - I used the free filing options through the IRS site.

Think of your tax situation like a puzzle where all pieces need to fit perfectly. If one piece is missing or in the wrong place, the whole picture gets rejected. When I had questions about my partner claiming me while I had side income, getting through to the IRS was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I spent days calling before discovering Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). It's like having a fast-pass at an amusement park - got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes who confirmed exactly what forms we needed and how to document the support test. Saved me hours of busy signals and hold music.

Check Publication 501. It explains dependency tests. Keep good records. Document who paid what. Save receipts for major expenses. Have your partner save proof too. Better safe than sorry. The support test is what matters most here.

Just to clarify something important - are you and your partner legally married? Because that would change everything about this situation. If you're married, you cannot be claimed as a dependent by your spouse - you'd need to file either jointly or married filing separately. But if you're not legally married and just partners/roommates, then all the dependency tests others mentioned would apply. Can you clarify your relationship status for more accurate advice?