@Opus 17 I have to firmly disagree with this statement:
"But, in this situation suppose the custodial parent does not allow the non-custodial parent to claim the exemption -- that means the custodial parent gets $2000 more on their tax refund that ultimately comes out of the pocket of the non-custodial parent who can't claim the dependent. The custodial parent has basically "stolen" an extra $2000 in child support from the non-custodial parent."
As a custodial parent, I do not "get $2000 more" on my tax refund. I claim the child tax "credit", which lowers my AGI. Additionally, I am owed $10K in backed child support, and the IRS only awards a percentage of his tax return to me for that backed support. His visitation (including holidays and special days) accounts for 15% of time spent. At 10 years old, our child doesn't have their own room, nor a bed at his house. His annual support is $2400, barely covering summer camp and after care for school.
The brunt of the cost, responsibility, and raising of our child is on me. Clothes, food, health insurance, doctors visits and treatment, therapy, homework, social management, wiping tears, this list goes on. His minimal involvement and laughable financial contribution should not grant him the right to claim our child simply because a judge says or because he played a small part in creating our child. I put in 99% of the work as many other custodial parents do, therefore the custodial parent gets a break on the taxes they owe for the year and may get a refund. I set my exemptions to come out as even as possible, not to gain a lump sum of money.
