From: Weston, Ohio

Dear Tax Mama,

My boyfriend lives with me and is unemployed and collecting unemployment.

I work full time. Can I claim him as a dependent?

His unemployment check is a very small amount.

Thank you so much.

Mary

 

 

TaxMama Replies

Dear Mary,

Your boyfriend was collecting unemployment income much of the year. All of that is taxable income. Add that to the income he had before he started collecting unemployment, and...

No doubt, that income is enough to keep him from being your dependent. I am sure that it feels small, when you're trying to make ends meet.

But,...if it's so small, why the heck is he sitting on his butt collecting it?

Get out and get a job. Any job.

When there's no work in my own field, I'll go find something else, even if it means washing dishes, pushing a broom or doing telephone soliciting or some kind of work through one of the many temporary agencies in the city.

Times are tough. You can't always find the job you're trained to do. But there's always SOME work out there.

I couldn't imagine either my husband or myself sitting around, wallowing and living off anyone because we're out of work.

And if your boyfriend's industry, field or area of expertise has been outsourced out of the country, it's time to learn some new skills. His unemployment agency will be happy to point him to training opportunities. Or perhaps it's time to start his own business doing handyman stuff, or mowing lawns or running errands for elderly people.

If you've been supporting him long enough for you to consider him your dependent, it's been too long.

And if he's too proud or too good to take the jobs that are available...because he can't get the job he wants... It's time for you both to rethink your futures.

I wish you both lots of luck.

Best wishes,
Eva Rosenberg, MBA, EA