Case Study 2: DependentsJoan, who is a U.S. citizen, adopted an infant boy from Cambodia who lived with her for the entire tax year. Even though Joan's child is not yet a U.S. citizen, he meets the citizen or resident test because he was a member of Joan's household for the entire year. Click here for an explanation. See step 4 of Table 1: All Dependents. If a U.S. citizen or U.S. national legally adopts a child who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, or U.S. national, this test is met as long as the child lives with the taxpayer as a member of the household all year. If all other dependency tests are met, the child can be claimed as a dependent. This also applies if the child was lawfully placed with the taxpayer for legal adoption. |