topic Re: Dependent in Deductions & credits

Dependent

l2509 — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:55:14 GMT

If my wife and daughter arrived to the US in JAN 2025. Can I still claim them in my 2024 taxes since they are my dependents?

Re: Dependent

Opus 17 — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 18:02:22 GMT

Your wife is never a dependent.

There are several issues here depending on immigration dates and status.

For 2024, were your wife and child US citizens, or green card holders?

You said they did not live in the US at all in 2024?

Is your wife and child now eligible for SSNs if they don't have them already?

Does your wife have overseas income in 2024?

Re: Dependent

l2509 — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 18:30:19 GMT

They are green card holders and they have a SSN. They didn't live in the US at all during 2024. My wife didn't have any income overseas in 2024.

Re: Dependent

Opus 17 — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 18:51:31 GMT

If you are filing a joint tax return with your wife, and both your wife and child have SSNs and green cards, then you can claim your child as a dependent for 2024. (Even though she did not live in your home, I assume she lived with your wife.)

However, if you decide to file as married filing separately, you can't claim your child since the child did not live with you. But there seems to be no reason to file as married filing separately under the circumstances.