I support my cousin and her 2 kids they live in mexico, i am planing to claim them as dependents with an ITIN but the program tells me they don't quialify as dependets

[hursan1710]

this is what i get, the program ask for the relatioship with my cousin, i pick other and enter her information and Citizenship of Mexico, then i am ask how long she live with me which is 0 months as she lives in mexico, then im told she does not quialify."Based on what you told us, Jesica didn't live with you for every month in 2016." same for her two kids. why? i thoud we could claim family members as dependents if i financily suport them and they live in mexico

[AnnaB]

According to IRS rules for claiming a qualifying relative as a dependent (since the relationship test does not qualify them as your qualifying child), they must live at your residence the entire year.  There are some exceptions which you can see at the link below.  Cousins are not an eligible relationship for this exception; therefore, neither would their children.

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar02.html#en_US_2016_publink1000220957

The link below also offers more guidance

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Family/Rules-for-Claiming-a-Dependent-on-Your-Tax-Ret...