Hi,

My husband and I are US citizens and my sister has an F-1 visa and goes to school in US. We pay full tuition for her and we provide her with room and board. Can we claim her as a dependent on our taxes? Can we deduct her tuition expenses?
My parents are green card holders but since they just recently immigrated, they don't have income yet. I know I can claim them as dependents. So my other question is, can my parents claim my sister as a dependent and deduct her tuition expenses if they start working and paying for her school?

Thanks in advance for your answer.

A.

No, a dependent must be citizen or resident of the U.S.
The days on F1 visa are exempt from residency for 5-years.
Read Qualifying Relative: Your U.S. Tax Return: Requirements for claiming a dependent

YOU cannot claim your sister because she is NOT a U.S. resident.

However, once your parents start earning income, they WILL be able to claim her because she is their biological daughter who is physically present in the U.S. Her visa status in that case is not relevant.