My niece lives with us, but we don't claim her on taxes. Can we include in expenses?

[murphsmom]

My 22 year old niece lived with us for a period of 2 2/1 years until July 2009. She then moved out to try to make it on her own until March of this year, when she moved back in after a job loss and loss of her apartment. She nor her parents have ever paid us any rent. Her parents moved out of state and we took her in when she was 18 and just starting a community college here. We do not claim her on our taxes.

However, our household expenses are definitely higher because she is the 5th person living in our home (groceries, household supplies, higher electric/water bill, and even gas from taking her back and forth for job interviews, to friends, etc..., she does not have her license).

1. Can our expenses claim we are a family of 5 (me, hubby, our two kids and her)
2. Will we need to prove that she lives here, and if so, what's the best way to do that?

[newbie2]

In most districts it would be very difficult to claim an adult living under your roof as a dependent for expense purposes. Think of it this way: She is 22 and can probably get a job to pay for her own expenses. You may be in one of the districts that won't put up a fuss about this, but from what I've seen on these boards the last few years, the answer will probably be "no".

Time for some tough love here Auntie. She needs to get her license and a job and start helping paying her own way. She's 22, not 17 or 18.