If you support children, relatives, or even non-relatives, you may be able to claim them as dependents on your tax return. Specifically, if someone qualifies as a dependent, you may claim them on your tax return unless you or your spouse qualifies as a dependent for another individual. It is important to remember that if someone else may claim you (or your spouse, if filing jointly) as a dependent, whether or not they actually claim you, then you may not claim any dependents nor take any tax exemptions, even for yourself.