Members of Household: Elderly Parent

[DG1966]

My Dad just passed away. My mom is thinking of coming to live with us. She has no assets and her only income is her survivors social security. If she comes live with us before we file:

1) Is she included in the members of the household for the means test. This will make me pass the means test.

2) Does her social security income get added to my income and become household income for the means test? This will make me fail the means test.

also.. if this matters.. my mom and dad (before he passed away) had been dependents of mine for the past 5 or 6 years EXCEPT for last year. I had to move out of state and they went to live with my brother.

How does this effect my filing?

Thanks!!

[987654]

In this case I would suggest talking to a lawyer. I don't really know the answer, but I did read in the NOLO BK book that claiming dependents who receive Social Security as a dependent can affect their benefits, so you need to proceed cautiously. It would be best to talk to a professional. Go get a few free consults and they can probably answer it for you.