Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Taxes (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=320)
-   -   I am on F1 - Can I file my child as my dependent? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=516828)

  • Oct 14, 2010, 08:22 PM
    sahil80
    I am on F1 - Can I file my child as my dependent?
    Hello Everyone,
    I am on F1 student from Pakistan. I arrived in US in November 2009 and my wife and my 2 years old daughter arrived here on F2 visa in May 2010 --- I am doing a job on CPT and will be starting my OPT this coming January 2011. Can some one please help me out with following questions

    1- I initially filed my status as single - can I change it to married? I am unsure how F2 status works
    2- Can I file my child + wife as my dependents?
    3- I paid for travel expenses of my wife and child -- can I claim them as deductibles when I file my taxation papers in 2011?
    4- We are now sending my daughter to a pre-school - and her school fee is just killing all my financial - School guys told me I can claim it as deductible - is it true?
    5- Someone told me Pakistan and US has a treaty of $5000-$10000 for students - Is it true - If Yes how it works?

    Any answers - help - links to documentation is going to be a great help for me.

    Thanks.
  • Oct 15, 2010, 08:36 AM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    Sorry, but as a non-resident alien from Pakistan, you CANNOT claim either your wife or child on your non-resident alien tax return (Form 1040NR).

    Only residents of India, Korea, Mexico and Canada can claim wife and children as dependent on Form 1040NR.

    Since you cannot claim the child as a dependent, you CANNOT claim either the Child Tax Credit or the Day Care Credit.

    There IS a $5,000 treaty exemption allowed on your Form 1040NR due to your student status.

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:42 AM.