I'm having some confusion as to what exactly I can/can't do, when I file a form 8332. Per our divorce decree, my ex and I are supposed to take turns claiming our son on our taxes. I am the custodial parent. Last year (2016) I claimed my son on my taxes, so this year (2017) it's my Ex's turn. I understand that I need to fill out the form 8332 to release my exemption for this year. However I'm seeing mixed answers about what each of us would file.
1. Do still file as head of household?
2. If I'm head of household, how would my ex file if he's NOT head of houshold, but claiming our son this year (per my release, in form 8332)?
3. I keep seeing mixed answers about if one of both of us can claim the Earned Income Credit from our child. I keep reading this: "When the non-custodial parent is claiming the child as a
dependent/exemption/child tax credit; the custodial parent is still
allowed to claim the same child for Earned Income Credit, Head of
Household filing status, and day care credit". Yet in other documentation, I keep seeing that only ONE parent can claim the child for the exemption. So if I released my claim on our son per the 8332, do I still claim him or not? I'm very confused. Can somebody please clarify for me? I want to make sure I'm doing this correctly.
