My dependent is not a US citizen, can I claim her in my Turbotax?

[finanzasresponsa]

I live in Mexico to take care of my elderly mother, she is my dependent and is not a US Citizen, can I claim her in my Turbotax?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

To claim someone as a dependent on your tax return they must have either a Social Security number or an ITIN issued by the IRS.  See this IRS website for ITIN requirements - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/general-itin-information

You may be able to claim her as your dependent under the Qualifying Relative rules if she meets all the requirements under the rules.

To be a Qualifying Relative -

1. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer. A child is not the qualifying child of any other taxpayer if the child's parent (or any other person for whom the child is defined as a qualifying child) is not required to file an income tax return or files an income tax return only to get a refund on income tax withheld.

2. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household. 

3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $4,050 (social security does not count) in 2016

4. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.

5. The person must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S., Canada, or Mexico resident for some part of the year.

6. The person must not file a joint return with their spouse.