topic Can i include expenses to take care of my father-in-law and mother-in-law who escaped war in Ukraine? They do not have SSNs, on TPS status now. Thank you. in Deductions & credits

Can i include expenses to take care of my father-in-law and mother-in-law who escaped war in Ukraine? They do not have SSNs, on TPS status now. Thank you.

ypwv — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:46:19 GMT

They stay with us, do not qualify for refugee program since they crossed US border before U4U program was announced by US government.

Re: Can i include expenses to take care of my father-in-law and mother-in-law who escaped war in ...

MaryK4 — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 21:50:44 GMT

No, unfortunately. to qualify as a dependent, the person must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, U.S. resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico.

Re: Can i include expenses to take care of my father-in-law and mother-in-law who escaped war in ...

ypwv — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 15:59:46 GMT

Thank you for prompt response.

Re: Can i include expenses to take care of my father-in-law and mother-in-law who escaped war in Ukraine? They do not have SSNs, on TPS status now. Thank you.

Opus 17 — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 16:28:31 GMT

You can't take a tax deduction for expenses you pay to care for family members, regardless of their status or situation. At most, you can

1. claim a family member as a dependent, which gets you a $500 credit

2. deduct medical expenses you pay for them on your tax return, but only if you can claim them as a dependent.

To claim a parent as a dependent, they must be a US resident, and you must provide more than half their total support for the year, and they must have less than $4400 of taxable income.

Being a "US resident" does not require permission or legal status, but it does require the person pass the substantial presence test.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/substantial-presence-test

Taxable income means income that is taxable to the US government. If someone is a US resident because they pass the substantial presence test, they owe US income tax on all their world-wide income. This includes business income, pensions, or "social security" type plans from foreign countries. (If someone becomes a US resident in the middle of the year, they owe US income tax on their world-wide income starting on the date they become a US resident.) Failing to pay US tax, if owed, can impact a person's eligibility for legal immigration.

If your parents meet all three tests, you can claim them as dependents. They would each need an ITIN.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number

You get the ITIN by filing your tax return by mail and including a form W-7 application for ITIN for each person. You mail the tax return, the W-7, and the required proof of identity all to the IRS. After the IRS issues the ITIN they will process the tax return.

Re: Can i include expenses to take care of my father-in-law and mother-in-law who escaped war in ...

MaryK4 — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 22:18:49 GMT

Please see Substantial Presence Test- you may be able to establish a tax residency to qualify them to be your dependents, which will be of benefit to you. @ypwv