How to get tax benefit of dependent?

[aniket]

Hello

I am in USA from Dec, 2007. Later my wife and 2 kids join mein August 2008, they are on H4 VISA

How to get tax benefit of my dependents?

Do I need to apply for TIN (for wife and kids or only wife) and How?

Please reply asap.

Ashish

[theshiningsun]

Hello

I am in USA from Dec, 2007. Later my wife and 2 kids join mein August 2008, they are on H4 VISA

How to get tax benefit of my dependents?


when ur family joined u in U, did u claim them as dependents by updating the W-4 form u sent to ur employer? if u had not done that, it means u wud already hv paid more tax as deducted from ur payroll. but never mind, u can still get it back. file ur tax returns as married filing joint, it usually gives u more refund since ur taxes r lesser.

Do I need to apply for TIN (for wife and kids or only wife) and How?

Please reply asap.

Ashish


yes u do need ITIN for both ur wife and kid. since it is the 1st time u r filing ur tax returns in the US, u will need to fill up the application for ITIN and submit it along with ur tax returns. IRS will assign ITIN to ur wife & kid and mail it to u.

[rckalraf]

Hello

I am in USA from Dec, 2007. Later my wife and 2 kids join mein August 2008, they are on H4 VISA

How to get tax benefit of my dependents?

Do I need to apply for TIN (for wife and kids or only wife) and How?

Please reply asap.

Ashish

Is the dependent tax benefit also applicable to parents on GC above 65 years, not working in USA, joined here recently, living with us, but sponsored by my sister.

Would Earning Pension from India not disqualify them and if so what is maximum Pension allowed.

In that case is TIN for them also requred, they have their SS Nos.

[sertra2002]

rckalraf,

Yes, you can claim parents as dependents if they satisfy following criteria:
To be claimed as a qualifying relative, the person must meet all of the following criteria:

Not a qualifying child - The dependent cannot be a qualifying child of another taxpayer.

Gross Income – The dependent earns less than the personal exemption amount during the year. For 2008, this means the dependent earns less than $3,500. This amount increases to $3,650 in 2009.

Total Support – You provide more than half of the dependent's total support during the year.

Relationship – You are related to the dependent in certain ways.

Joint Return – If the dependent is married, the dependent cannot file a joint return with his or her spouse.

Citizenship – The dependent must be a citizen or resident alien of the United States, Canada, or Mexico

Since your parentsalready have SSN, they d NOTneed TIN. TIN is given only to those who cannot apply for SSN.