# Tax Experts: Can I claim this non-relative as a dependent?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-experts-can-i-claim-this-non-relative-as-a-dependent/192735
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 3, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-experts-can-i-claim-this-non-relative-as-a-dependent/192735 "2003-08-03T17:09:46Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@indecisive1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/indecisive1)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-experts-can-i-claim-this-non-relative-as-a-dependent/192735/1 "2003-08-03T17:09:46Z")
I’ve gone through the guidelines in the IRS site, but I’m still not sure that I can claim him for the 2003 tax year.
So far this year he has had no income, so if that continues he will be under the $3000 limit.
I assume he will live here the entire year.
He has been receiving food stamps, but I don’t think that income is even close to half of his day-to-day living expenses.
What has me confused is how to figure in medical expense. His medical expenses are outrageous! But he is on various charity programs to provide him with his medications at no cost. As far as I can tell, these are not government programs, but are programs run by the companies that manufacture the meds.
He has a blood disorder that makes him prone to forming blood-clots. About two years ago he developed two pulmonary embolisms, leaving him basically disabled (but not disabled enough for benefits according to SSI.) The standard treatment for his disorder (Antiphospholipid syndrome) didn’t work for him, as he developed a new clot in his arm while on treatment.
The doctors have prescribed two 60 mg injections of Lovenox (a fancy anti-coagulant) per day. He also has other meds to help him with associated problems, but the Lovenox is by far the most expensive. I have estimated that if he bought it in bulk at retail prices his yearly expense would be around $24,000. Nope, that’s not a type-o.
So if I count the free medical care he is receiving, I clearly am not paying half his support. Heck, is medical expenses are close to double my income!
Anybody have experience with a situation like this?
And the bigger question; if I claim him as a dependent do I become legally responsible for all his expenses?
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### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-experts-can-i-claim-this-non-relative-as-a-dependent/192735/2 "2003-08-03T17:47:46Z")
[Actual IRS rules for claiming dependents: Publication 501](http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf) - involved but detailed
[The tax rules on claiming dependents](http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/tips/20010208a.asp) - simple
[Tips for claiming dependents](http://taxes.yahoo.com/tips/income/dependents.html) simple but best overall explanation
Heere is the part that is most relevant to your situation
> [@](#):
>
> Support test
> A taxpayer must provide more than 50 percent of the support for the person they intend to claim. Support includes expenditures on food, clothing, lodging, education, medical expenses and other necessities. If two or more individuals, including yourself, provide more than 50 percent of the total support, you can claim the exemption if you contribute more than 10 percent of total support. In this case, all those who share support with you must agree that you can claim the exemption and must sign away the exemption on Form 2120, the Multiple Support Declaration. You must file this form with your tax return.