JohnB5677
Employee Tax Expert

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

It sounds like you both tried to claim her as a dependent.  As it turns out the other parent filed first, so they got credit for her.  This is fairly easy to fix.  You have to go back through your Personal Info and answer the questions regarding her status so she will not be claimed by you as a dependent.  If you are alternating each year per your agreement, you will both have to make this adjustment each year.

 

Only one person can claim the tax benefits related to a dependent child who meets the qualifying child rules. Parents can't share or split up the tax benefits for their child on their respective tax returns.

 

The IRS allows the non-custodial parent to claim their child as a dependent. The non-custodial parent can claim the child as a dependent if the custodial parent agrees not to on their own tax return. However, you must obtain a signed IRS Form 8332 or similar written document from the custodial parent allowing you to do so. Parents who have joint custody may also use this form to alternate the tax years in which each can claim the dependent.

 

It's important that each parent understands who will claim their child on their tax return. If two people claim the same child on different tax returns, it will slow down processing time while the IRS determines which parent's claim takes priority.

 

Please see this TurboTax article referring to:  Both Parents Claim a Child

 

 

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