Intuit Academy Tax Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide for Exam Mastery!

In tax terms, the definition of a "dependent" is specifically tied to the concept of a qualifying individual who relies on the taxpayer for financial support. This means the individual must meet certain criteria established by the IRS, such as being related to the taxpayer, living with the taxpayer for more than half the year, and receiving significant financial support from the taxpayer.

The importance of this classification lies in the tax benefits that can be gained, such as eligibility for certain credits and deductions that can lower overall tax liability. The ability to claim someone as a dependent can also affect filing status and child tax credits, making it an important distinction for tax filers.

The other options do not align with the definition of a dependent. An individual filing taxes independently does not meet the criteria because they do not rely on the taxpayer for support. A taxpayer not subject to tax payments is unrelated to dependency definitions as it focuses on tax obligations rather than support. Similarly, a relative with their own income does not meet the dependency requirements, as the dependence on the taxpayer for financial support is a vital factor in qualifying as a dependent.