When filing taxes, taxpayers have the ability to claim dependents, which can significantly reduce their taxable income and potentially provide them with valuable tax credits. The number of dependents claimed plays a crucial role in determining an individual's tax liability. It is important to note that there is no minimum requirement for the number of dependents one can claim.

Taxpayers with no qualifying dependents, such as children or other eligible relatives, will simply claim zero dependents. However, for those with eligible dependents, they must accurately report the correct number on their tax return. Each dependent claimed provides the taxpayer with an additional exemption and, in some cases, access to specific tax credits. Consequently, the more dependents a taxpayer can legitimately claim, the lower their overall tax burden may be.