How to Deduct Tuition for a Foreign Relative Student Completely dependent on us?

[hhinman2]

I am a US Citizen and I am married to someone from Ukraine who is a naturalized US Citizen. Our 20 year old nephew from Ukraine is here in the US living with us and attending college. He is 100% dependent on us and has a proper Student Visa.

We are told he cannot obtain a Social Security Number because he is a non resident on a Student Visa. It appears we cannot claim him as a dependent. Can we somehow deduct the college tuition we pay on his behalf?

[MaryK4]

No, unfortunately, you cannot claim the Education Credits or Tuition deduction for someone you cannot claim as a dependent.

[mgofer]

We had a cousin from Colombia as a foreign student. He didn't have any income and we sponsored him. He lived in our house for the entire year of 2020 and we cover all his expenses including tuition fee. Can we  claim him as a dependent.  He was 26 years old.

[mgofer]

Can I deduct the living expenses? If not the education tuition?

[npierson7]

If you obtain ITIN number for him, you might be able to claim him as a dependent and receive Other dependent tax credit. You need to apply for ITIN on the IRS website and add to your tax return. You will nedd to print and mail you tax return to the IRS. 

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number