Tax season always feels like a puzzle, but things get especially weird once your kids hit that magic number: 18. You’ve spent nearly two decades getting those nice Child Tax Credit checks or reductions. Then, suddenly, the IRS rules shift under your feet.
It's frustrating.
You’re likely still paying for their groceries. You might be covering their car insurance or footing a massive tuition bill. Naturally, you want to know how much do you get for a dependent over 18 and whether the "payout" is even worth the paperwork. Honestly, the answer isn't as big as it used to be, but it’s still money you shouldn't leave on the table.
The Short Answer: It’s Usually $500
Basically, for most people, the "reward" for claiming an adult dependent is a $500 nonrefundable tax credit.
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This is officially called the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC). It’s the IRS’s way of saying, "We know you're still helping them, but they aren't 'children' in our eyes anymore." Unlike the Child Tax Credit, which can be worth up to $2,200 per child in 2025 (and even more in 2026 due to inflation adjustments), the ODC is a flat, smaller amount.
$500. That’s it.
But there is a catch. Or rather, a few of them. Because this credit is nonrefundable, it can only bring your tax bill down to zero. If you don't owe any taxes, you don't get the "leftover" money back as a refund. It just evaporates.
Why the Amount Changes After Age 17
Most parents get a shock because the "Child Tax Credit" has a strict age limit. Your child must be under age 17 at the end of the year to qualify for the big bucks.
Once they blow out 17 candles, they fall off the CTC cliff.
They transition into the "Other Dependent" category. It doesn't matter if they are 18, 22, or 45—if they meet the residency and support tests, they are worth $500.
The Student Loophole
Wait. There is a slight nuance for college students. While they don't get you the Child Tax Credit once they are 18, keeping them as a dependent opens the door to the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC).
This is where the real money is.
The AOTC can be worth up to $2,500 per student. If you claim an 18-to-23-year-old who is a full-time student, you get that $500 credit plus the potential for the education credits. That's a huge difference. If you don't claim them, they have to claim the education credit themselves, and usually, students don't have enough tax liability to use the whole thing.
Can You Actually Claim Them?
You can't just claim anyone. The IRS has a "Qualifying Relative" test that is surprisingly strict about income.
To get that $500, your dependent over 18 generally needs to:
- Make less than $5,200 (for the 2025 tax year) or $5,300 (for 2026). This is their "gross income." If they have a part-time job making $10,000, you are likely out of luck unless they are a "Qualifying Child" student under 24.
- Receive more than half of their support from you. This includes rent, food, medical bills, and even those "emergency" Venmos for gas.
- Live with you all year (unless they are a close relative like a parent or child, in which case they don't necessarily have to live in your house).
One weird detail? If they are your child and a full-time student, the income limit actually vanishes. They could make $20,000 at an internship, but as long as they don't provide more than half of their own support, you can still claim them until they turn 24.
The Income Phase-Outs
The government starts taking this credit away if you make "too much" money.
If you are a single filer making over $200,000, or a married couple making over $400,000, the credit starts to shrink. It’s reduced by $50 for every $1,000 you earn over those limits. If you're a high earner, you might find that your "how much do you get for a dependent over 18" answer is actually **$0**.
Is It Worth It?
Sometimes, claiming a dependent over 18 is a bad move.
Seriously.
If your 19-year-old has a decent job, they might save more money by claiming themselves and taking their own Standard Deduction. For 2025, that deduction is $15,000 for single filers. If you claim them, their deduction gets restricted (usually to about $1,300 or their earned income + $450).
You have to do the math. Does your $500 credit save the family more than the taxes they would pay by losing their full deduction? Usually, the answer is yes, but not always.
Real-World Example: The "Gap Year" Kid
Let's look at a quick scenario. Say your daughter graduated high school at 18 and is taking a gap year. She earns $4,000 working at a local coffee shop and lives in your basement.
- Is she a dependent? Yes. She made less than the $5,200 limit (for 2025) and you paid for her housing/food.
- What do you get? A $500 Credit for Other Dependents.
- What does she get? She still has to file a return to get her withheld taxes back, but she must check the box that says "Someone can claim me as a dependent."
Actionable Next Steps
Don't just wing it when you open your tax software. Here is how to handle a dependent over 18 properly:
- Gather the "Support" Receipts: If the IRS ever audits you, you need to prove you paid more than 50% of their bills. Keep a simple spreadsheet of rent (market value), groceries, and tuition.
- Check the Student Status: If they were in school for any part of 5 calendar months, they count as a student. This removes the income cap for children.
- Compare the Education Credits: If they are in college, look at the AOTC versus the Lifetime Learning Credit. The AOTC is usually better but has a 4-year limit.
- Talk to Your Kid: Ensure they don't claim themselves. If you both claim the same person, the IRS will reject one return electronically, and it becomes a massive headache to fix via mail.
The $500 isn't a jackpot, but it covers a few weeks of groceries. When you're supporting an adult, every bit counts.