为了搞清父母做dependent的问题，我好好查了IRS文件，详情在内

1. In the 1040 Instruction file, on page 20 the Qualifying Relative Dependent Test, question 2 says: 'Was your qualifying relative a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a resident of the United States, Canada, or Mexico?'. The keyword here is 'a resident of the US'. I tried to search the definition for the 'resident' word here in this question but haven't found anything.

2. Then, I looked through the publications, in Pub519, it provided the tests for whether a non-US-citizen person should be called 'Non-resident Alien' or 'Resident-Alien' for TAX PURPOSE ONLY. In these tests, a person can be considered a 'Resident-Alien' if he/she meets a list of criterias, such as presence days, etc. Details please see page 4&5 in Chapter1.

I strongly believe the 'Resident-Alien' is a different term compare to the 'resident of the US' term in the dependent test question. Like SadCity said, the 'non-resident-alien' vs 'resident-alien' tests are for the purpose of the person who is filing tax return, to determine whether he/she should file a return or how to file a return. It should HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE QUESTION IN THE DEPENDENT TEST.

So the real question is, what is the definition of the term 'a resident of the US' in the dependent test question?? If any of you can find answers to this question, you would help all of us to know that based on IRS policy, whether we can claim our parents to be our dependent for tax return purpose. That would be a great help.

On another hand, once we find out the 'white' answer, whether you choose to go with the 'grey' or 'black' way is your own choice. I'm only trying to find the truth here.

I am NOT a CFA or tax accountant or anything. I'm like most of you - a regular tax payer.

欢迎讨论。

所有跟帖： 

• Found more information in Pub 501 -xxxxllll- ♂ (749 bytes) () 02/02/2006 postreply 20:15:43

• 我有个朋友的女朋友报父母dependent被IRS抽查到，罚了款， -闲得无聊- ♂ (56 bytes) () 02/02/2006 postreply 20:17:18

• the instance can prove nothing -NotALawyer2- ♀ (85 bytes) () 02/04/2006 postreply 15:09:36

• 回复：为了搞清父母做dependent的问题，我好好查了IRS文件，详情在内 -freshEE- ♂ (305 bytes) () 02/02/2006 postreply 21:04:50

• If you have lived in US more than -naivelamb- ♂ (96 bytes) () 02/03/2006 postreply 05:51:41

• 持中国护照没有绿卡的父母可以是depentent -收破烂的- ♂ (1555 bytes) () 02/03/2006 postreply 06:14:18

• AGAIN AND FINAL, the substantial presence only applys to -SadCity- ♀ (150 bytes) () 02/03/2006 postreply 07:00:02

• 错!! -stp- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/04/2006 postreply 22:06:40

• F１和使用1040NR报税的根本就别试 -天道大神- ♀ (46 bytes) () 02/03/2006 postreply 10:53:00

• rules are changed in 2005 -闲不住- ♀ (287 bytes) () 02/03/2006 postreply 11:54:19

• 请再仔细读读您贴的这几个链接，dependent还是要过citizen测试的 -xxxxllll- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/03/2006 postreply 12:03:08