Skip to main content
July 31, 2024
Question

One Half Support rules for year of immigration to US

  • July 31, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

What are the rules for determining 1/2 support for this situation?  An individual immigrated to the US (green card) on 7/28/24 from a country with a much different economic model.. she supported herself in her home country (prior to 7/28/24) but will be supported 100% by her son in the US.  (Very complicated to compare costs because of the currency and cost structure differences.)  Can you legitimately break it down as a monthly test and determine that her son did NOT provide 1/2 support for 2024? (That would be the better outcome in this case, btw.) Please share whatever references you have so I can retain it in the tax backup. Thank you!

1 reply

July 31, 2024

Thanks for joining us today, GayleS03!

 

For US tax purposes, a dependent is someone "other than the taxpayer or spouse" who qualifies to be claimed by someone else on a tax return. They rely on another person for financial support. This includes children or other relatives. There are two types of dependents, each subject to different rules:

  • Qualifying Child
  • Qualifying Relative

The following questions must be answered to determine if you can claim your relative:

 

  • Are they a citizen or resident? The person must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, U.S. resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico. 
  • Are you the only person claiming them as a dependent? You can't claim someone who is claimed as a dependent on another tax return. You also can't claim a person who states that they are not able to be claimed as a dependent on their own tax return (takes a personal exemption for himself). Finally, a dependent cannot claim another person as a dependent on their own tax form. 
  • Are they filing a joint return? You can't claim someone who's married and files a joint tax return. 

For a parent to be claimed:

  • Do they live with you? Your relative must live with you all year as a member of your household or be on the list of “relatives who do not live with you” in Publication 501. About 30 types of relatives are on this list.
  • Do they make less than $4,700 in 2023 ($5,050 for 2024)Your relative can't have a gross income of more than $4,700 in 2023 and be claimed by you as a dependent. This threshold increases to $5,050 for 2024. Certain income is excluded from this requirement such as all or part of Social Security benefits.
  • Do you financially support them? You must provide more than half of your relative's total support for the year.For more details click here: Rules for Claiming Dependents on Taxes

 

 

 

GayleS03Author
July 31, 2024

Thank you for the initial response. I am seeking greater clarity on the 1/2 support math for this scenario with two different countries, currencies, cost structures and government subsidies for things like health care, utilities and food. If the question is beyond the scope here, please let me know. 

July 31, 2024

You are very welcome, GayleS03.

 

Yes, the additional calculations and variables is beyond the scope here. We do not do calculations or projections. There are some excellent IRS publications that may give you more clarity. 

Here is an example: For Caregivers