Dependents from Mexico can still be claim on the tax return?

[TaxGuyBill · Accepted solution]

Yes, but unless they are also a Citizen or Resident of the US, there are fewer tax benefits this year.

They would not qualify for the $500 dependent credit.  However, there could be other benefits, such as claiming medical expenses for a dependent, increasing household size for the Premium Tax Credit, and possibly State deductions or benefits.

[mariposanegrete]

In 2017 dependents living in Mexico and Canada can be claim as dependents and get the 4050 personal exemption for the tax payer,,,can the tax payer get the $500 ODC for 2018?

[TaxGuyBill]

Really?  What was not helpful about that?  Did you even read my answer?

[mariposanegrete]

Yes I did,,but many tax payers, specially HOH with no dependents that are citizens or residents of the USA, can they still claim HOH even though they reside in Mexico?

[TaxGuyBill]

Yes, the rules for Head of Household have not changed.  So if the dependent parents are in Mexico, the taxpayer still qualifies for Head of Household.

[mariposanegrete]

Thank you

[gk624]

TaxGuyBill....Can a 15 year child with a social security card living in Mexico be claimed for CTC?  

[TaxGuyBill]

Maybe.

Is the child a US Citizen or Green Card holder?
Do the parents live with the child in Mexico too?
Give as much other information as you can.

[gk624]

Parents live in U.S.A. Child lives in Mexico and parents provided a social security card for child.

[TaxGuyBill]

You seem to have missed my first question.  Is the child a US Citizen or Green Card holder?

What are the circumstances that the child does not live with the parents?  Is it a special "temporary" absence, or is it a long term thing?

[gk624]

Child is a US citizen lived in Mexico all 12 months with grandparents  in 2018. Parents lived in US all 12 months.

[TaxGuyBill]

If this is not a "temporary absence", then the Child is not a "Qualifying Child".  That means they do not qualify for the $2000 credit.

If they qualify to claim the child as a "Qualifying Relative" (parents pay for over 50% of child's support and the child has less than $4150 of income, and assuming the grandparents are not filing a US tax return), then they will qualify for the $500 credit.

[gk624]

Many thanks for your comments!!!!

[garman22]

Good question and GOOD answer!!

[frank3]

MY SISTER LIVES IN MEXICO HAS SOCIAL SECURITY CAN I CLAIM THE $500

AND MY FATHER LIVES IN MEXICO CAN I CLAIM ALSO $500 ODC OR ONLY THE HEAD OF HOUSE HOLD STATUS I DUPPORT THEM