Claiming dependents

[TaxNoob18]

Here's my situation. I'm filing MFJ for both my wife and I. Her father used to provide 100% financial support to her mother. She does not work. Since he passed away a few years ago, my wife takes over her father's financial support responsibility to provide for her mother.

So my wife supports her mother by sending her money every year.  Her mother does not live with us in the USA. She lives overseas and not a US permanent resident or citizen. She has never been to the USA.

The question is, can we claim her as dependent?

[DoninGA]

If the mother is not a US citizen or resident of the US, Canada or Mexico you cannot claim her as a dependent.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Sorry---no.   This is the criteria for claiming a "qualified relative" as a dependent:

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $4,700 in 2023.
• You provided more than half of their financial support.