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Can a US taxpayer claim a Thai spouse as a dependent for tax purposes?

Apr 10, 2022
4 years ago
Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Any US Taxpayers have a Thai wife, married in Thailand.

Do you get to claim her as a dependent?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question discusses whether a US taxpayer who is married to a Thai wife can claim her as a dependent on their tax returns. Several comments provide insights, mentioning that the marriage should be recognized for tax purposes, potentially needing a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for the spouse. The discussion also touches on implications related to whether the marriage is registered in the US and the legal status of the spouse in the US.
Chris *********************
In the Uk my thai wife had to have a NA number
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Jack ******
All I had to do was get her a TIN. When I filed my tax return I included the TIN application, supporting documents, and claimed her exemption on my tax form. They sent her a TIN and allowed the exemption on my taxes.
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Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jack *****
Does she have any legal status in the US? Resident Alien or Alien or anything?

I live with my GF and I pay all the bills. I would marry her if I had a good reason. I wondering how much paperwork I would need to do to get a tax break.
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Jack ******
@Terary *********
She has never been to the US. No legal status. For the TIN I think proof of irth and marriage was all I needed. Better check the IRS website to be sure.
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Jack ******
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Robert ***********
Sent you a pm
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Brandon ************
**********************************************************************************************
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Carlos *********
If the marriage isnt registered in the US, they dont recognize it.
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Carlos *********
When you went to Ampoe, you registered your marrige. When you filled out your paper work for CR1 you submitted the registration to the USA. The only way they would have known you are married. Maybe you had an agent submit the registration because it may have needed to be translated, Im not sure. But that is when you registered it. Also, every county/ state is different. Also, its probably why she had to go to supirior court rather then the county court where you live. They had to acknowledge the marriage.( sorry about that)
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Tom ********
@Carlos ********
just exactly how do you register a marriage in the USA? I was married in Thailand and later got my Thai wife a CR1 visa. I never recall registering the marriage in the US, only with the IRS. 3 years later she divorces me in San Francisco Superior Court, go figure
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Tom ********
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Shayne **********
@American *****************************
can answer your questions.
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Shayne **********
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