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    SimpleTechie's Avatar
    SimpleTechie Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 27, 2008, 01:15 AM
    Tuition fees paid for F-1 Visa holder - deductible or not?
    Hi,

    I am a resident alien for tax purposes. My brother was in graduate school in 2007. He is on F-1 Visa and therefore not a resident alien for tax purposes. Thus, I cannot claim him as a dependent.

    I paid for his fees and expenses. Can I deduct this fees from my taxable income since I paid for it anyway? Is this possible?

    Appreciate any feedback...

    Regards
    SimpleTechie
    MukatA's Avatar
    MukatA Posts: 7,110, Reputation: 176
    Tax Expert
     
    #2

    Mar 27, 2008, 03:10 AM
    A dependent must be a citizen or resident. F-1 visa is exempt from residency for 5 years.
    SimpleTechie's Avatar
    SimpleTechie Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Apr 2, 2008, 11:07 PM
    Can I claim him as a qualifying relative?

    IRS website: Section 152(d)(1)

    (A) bear a certain relationship to the taxpayer -- BROTHER
    (B) have gross income for the calendar year that is less than the exemption amount (as defined in section 151(d)) -- YES
    (C) derive over one-half of his or her support for the calendar year from the taxpayer -- YES
    152(d)(1)(D) requires that the individual not be a qualifying child of the taxpayer or of “any other taxpayer” for the taxable year -- YES


    Is the residency requirement for qualifying relative 183 days or just "some" part of the year? What's the definition for residency in this context?

    Regards
    MukatA's Avatar
    MukatA Posts: 7,110, Reputation: 176
    Tax Expert
     
    #4

    Apr 3, 2008, 12:06 AM
    A dependent must meet: Joint Return Test, Dependent Taxpayer Test and Citizen or Residency Test.

    A dependent can be your qualifying child or qualifying relative. Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: Requirements for claiming a dependent
    SimpleTechie's Avatar
    SimpleTechie Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Apr 3, 2008, 12:20 AM
    MukatA:

    I met with a tax advisor at H & R Block. She showed me company documentation for qualifying relative.

    Residency test read as follows - the person must have been a resident for "some" part of the year.

    She was, unfortunately, uncertain on the interpretation. What do you reckon?

    A tax consultant from elsewhere suggested that I could claim part-time residency for my brother and thus claim him as a dependent. Is this correct?

    Appreciate your help!
    Regards
    Agrippina121's Avatar
    Agrippina121 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Feb 26, 2009, 11:59 AM
    If you can not claim your brother as a dependent, then you can not claim any of the experiences. His residency status, in this case, is irrelevant. Any taxpayer who can not claim a person as a dependent is not entitled to deduct the expenses for that person.
    Agrippina121's Avatar
    Agrippina121 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Feb 26, 2009, 12:56 PM
    As a revision to my previous answer - dependency status for F-1 visa holders is dependent upon a 5 year test. If the student holding the F-1 visa has been in the country for more than 5 calendar years, he can be claimed as a dependent, and his expenses therefore deducted - but again, only if the student has lived in the US for more than 5 calendar years.
    Agrippina121's Avatar
    Agrippina121 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Feb 27, 2009, 09:51 AM
    I'm just going to keep adding to my own answers. And hope I find the spellchecker next time (and actually verify the word substituted was the word I wanted). If you are trying to claim a relative as a qualifying relative (such as a nephew), that relative can also not have more than $3,500 in income, apart from all the other restrictions.
    shani11's Avatar
    shani11 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Feb 8, 2010, 09:26 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Agrippina121 View Post
    I'm just going to keep adding to my own answers. And hope I find the spellchecker next time (and actually verify the word substituted was the word I wanted). If you are trying to claim a relative as a qualifying relative (such as a nephew), that relative can also not have more than $3,500 in income, apart from all the other restrictions.
    I am very new to this site, Please don't mind if I posted in a wrong spot. Actually I have the same case. I am on F1 visa, have been in the USA for two years. My brother is paying my tuition, now I want to know, is that possible I can be his dependent?
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
     
    #10

    Mar 4, 2010, 02:00 PM
    Someone under a F-1 visa CANNOT be claimed as a dependent on a resident (Form 1040or 1040A) tax return because that person is NOT a U.S. resident. Black-letter tax law.

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