LPR for part year - Tax questions
 

Hi all,

My question below is sort of a continuation of a previous thread I had started (which is now closed) regarding my parents immigration..I realize this is now more of a tax question now than immigration, but just looking for some thoughts here - will not hold you to your responses.

My mum immigrated to US in Oct 2010 on immigrant visa and got SSN etc, but did not work in 2010. My dad has immigrant visa in hand and will be flying to US in the next few weeks. They were both visiting me here on B1/B2 visas for 5 months prior to Oct 2010.

My question is - does my mum need to file a tax return for 2010 as she was a resident for part of 2010, although she had no income? If so, would she file as single or married filing jointly? Can one check 'married filing jointly' even if the spouse is not an LPR, had no SSN, and no income?

If she does not need to file, can I claim her my dependent since she was indeed dependent upon my income?

Re: LPR for part year
 

If you don't have any income, you don't need to file.

- Eric S.

Re: LPR for part year - Tax questions
 

Yes.

Ian

Re: LPR for part year - Tax questions
 

To claim your mom as a dependent:

See IRS Publication 17 for more information:

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p17/ch03.html

Look at the section for "Qualifying Relative".

- Eric S.