Dual Status Alien - Tax Credit for Other Dependents and Residency start date

[Adeelans]

1, I am filing as a dual-status alien maried filing separately ( Jan to August as Non-resident and Oct to Dec as resident ). Can I claim Tax Credit for Other Dependents ($500) per child in Form 1040 for the 4 month period as resident alien?

This credit is only available for resident aliens. 

2, What will be my first day of residency if I arrived in US on 16th August and remained in US for the rest of the year? Will it be 16th August or 1st December?

[DavidD66]

For the part of the tax year you are considered a resident alien, you can generally claim the same tax credits that apply to U.S. citizens, so yes you should be able to claim the tax credit for Other Dependents.  

You will need to determine the date your status changed to Resident Alien based on the dates you were here, and whether you met the Green Card Test or Substantial  Presence Test.  For more information, see Taxation of Dual-Status Aliens

[Adeelans]

Thanks. Is it possible to file dual-Alien tax return using Turbo tax? 

[KurtL1]

If the dependent on the resident return qualifies you for the Other Dependent Credit, the dependent must:

1. Be claimed as a dependent on your return.
2. Cannot be used by you to claim the Child Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.
3. Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien.

Per IRS Taxation of Dual-Status Aliens you are not restricted form claiming the Other Dependent Credit on your return.

[Adeelans]

Thanks. Is it possible to file dual-Alien tax return using Turbo tax? 

[KurtL1]

While TurboTax can complete most any type of tax return for US citizens and resident aliens, at the present time we do not support the nonresident Form 1040NR series of tax returns, or dual-status alien tax returns.

However, TurboTax has partnered with a company called Sprintax to offer certain nonresident tax preparation services.  They can help with filing Form 1040NR nonresident alien returns, as well as dual-status alien tax returns as well. If you have questions you can contact Sprintax Help for assistance.

[jeffzhou]

If the dependent is qualified, can the individual get full credit of child tax, or just partial base of the portion of being a RA?

[DaveF1006]

It depends. I am not certain what you mean by a portion being an RA. if you filed as a resident alien for the tax year 2020, you should be eligible for the child tax credit if you qualify.