My wife and 2 kids (under 18) joined me here in May 2007. Their change of status just came out this year (02/28/08) as H4. I can apply for W7 for them, but am sure this will take a long time to return. Can I fill up a W7 (ITIN) form for them and attach it to my 1040 to claim them as my dependents? Does it matter if their H4 approval came out this year, will they still be eligible to be my dependents in 2007? I also have 2 college kids (20 and 21 yo) from our country who I also support. Can I claim additional deductions for them?

Thank you.

For sure, the W-7 for your wife will be approved.

The W-7s for your children SHOULD be approved, but they may not be. The ITIN Processing Center has been inconsistent on this issue.

You can also claim the college students as dependent as well, but you need to show that they ARE in college to get them ITINs.