[kingofchennai]

Hi

I am in US with an L1 (Blanket) VISA and working here since Sep 2010. My Dad and Mom travelled later using a tourist VISA and staying with me for the last 4 months. I was told by one of my friends that I can claim tax exemption on
The expenses I incurred for my Dad/Mom's travel to U.S. And other expenses. Could you guide me on what I need to get
My parents signed and then authorized by a notary?


Thanks a bunch!

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

You CANNOT claim your parent's travel expenses on your tax return. Those are considered to be personal expenses by the IRS and are NOT deductible.

You CAN claim your travel expenses for your immediate family (spouse and children) as part of your moving expenses when you first came to the U.S.

Now, you MAY be able to claim your parents as dependents IF they qualify as residents under the 183-day Substantial Presence Test (SPT) AND if you provide over half of their total support. However, tourist visas typically only last for 180 days, so meeting the 183-day SPT CAN be a problem.