The rule is that if someone ``can'' claim you as a dependent, you must check the box. It is not, did or will someone claim you as a dependent. There is nothing that requires your parents to claim you as a dependent if you qualify, they will just be giving up a $500 credit (potentially).
If you want to get close to withholding your exact tax obligation, then claim 2 allowances for both you and your spouse, and then claim allowances for however many dependents you have (so if you have 2 dependents, you'd want to claim 4 allowances to get close to withholding your exact tax obligation).
Make sure your dependent meets the IRS requirements. Generally, the IRS requires that the child is under the age of 19 (or under 24 if a full-time student), lives with you for more than half the year, and does not provide more than half of their own financial support.
Dependants are the number of people who "depend" upon you and your earnings for their survival. Usually, an earning man/woman's aged and retired parents would be the dependants. Children below 18yrs old would also be termed as dependants.
On your W-4 Form you claim allowances, which your employer uses to calculate the tax withheld from your paycheck. The number of dependents you have factors into your overall W-4 allowances. Many people simply count their family members and put that number down as the number of allowances on W-4 Form!
Answer: The number of dependents refers to the number of people who rely on someone else for financial support or care. Dependents can include children, elderly parents, or any other individuals who are financially dependent on another person.
A dependent is a person for whom you provide more than half of their support. Dependents will usually have to either be related to you or live with you for the entire year to qualify.
The number of dependents is, mathematically speaking, the number of people who are in your immediate family. (It might include your husband/wife, your children, and your (grand)parents.)
A dependent is a qualifying child or relative who relies on you for financial support. To claim a dependent for tax credits or deductions, the dependent must meet specific requirements. Answer questions to see if you can claim someone as a dependent on your tax return.