My daughter was born in philippines and lives with her mother. I regularly send money to them and my name is on her birth certificate. She doesnt have a SS# since shes not a us citizen. What can I do to claim her as a dependent even though she doesn't live with me. I have proof of support but is this a lost cause?

Thanks

Mikky

My understanding is you cannot claim a person no matter age that is not a citizen of the usa. Think about we could all claim poor kids in africa and get an extra 3500 each.

Per the IRS, "there are five tests that must be met for a child to be your qualifying child." The five tests are:

1.Relationship
You meet this test, obviously because she is your daughter.

2.Age
You meet this test, if your child is age 19 at the end of the year, or is full-time student under age 24 at the end of the year. Most likely you have met this test as well.

3.Residency
To meet this test, your child must have lived with you for more than half of the year. You fail this test as your child lives in Philippines.

4.Support
You meet this test due to your financial contribution you are making.

5.Joint return.
To meet this test, the child cannot file a joint return for the year. You meet this test.

For more details please click the following link below:
Publication 501 (2010), Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information

__________________
Find a CPA near you!

Ask TaxGuru Please refer to the legal disclaimer.

" What can I do to claim her as a dependent even though she doesn't live with me. "---> You can't claim your daughter as your dependent. She MUST have the same residence for more than half of the tax year. And also she MUST be a US citizen or US resident alien under US INS Rules or a resident of Canada or Mexico, OK??