If you want to delete your dependents from your tax return, click on the Personal Info tab at the top of your screen. Now, Your personal info page should be on your screen where you see your dependent's names. Click delete to the right of each of your dependent's name. This will remove your dependents from your tax return so that your ex-wife will be able to claim them.
However, if you were taking care of your dependents all year and feel that you are entitled to claim them (See IRS test below),leave your dependents on your tax return and paper-file your tax return after reading the following:
In a situation such as yours, where someone else has already
filed their tax return claiming your child, the IRS may give them the deduction
since their return was processed first. The only option would be to paper-file
your tax return. The IRS will probably investigate who really should be
getting the deduction. At that point, they will make a decision based on the
criteria below, and the taxpayer who incorrectly claimed the dependent will be
assessed any additional taxes and penalties, and required to file an amended
return. If you would like to call the IRS and report this, their number
is 1 (800) 829-1040, but they probably will tell you exactly what I have told
you.
A parent may claim their child if they meet either the qualifying child or qualifying relative test as
outlined below:
Qualifying Child
These 5 tests (all of
them), will qualify a child as a dependent:
-
Relationship: They must be your child,
adopted child, foster-child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of
these (grand or nephew).
-
Residence: They had to live with you
in the same residence for more than half the year. Being away at school is
considered as living at home.
-
Age: Must be under age 19 or
under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months of the year. They
can be any age if they are totally and permanently disabled.
-
Support: child did not provide more
than half of their own support during the year.
-
Joint
Support: The child
cannot file a joint return for the year.
Qualifying Relative
These 4 tests (all of
them) will qualify a relative as a dependent:
-
Not
Qualifying Child: They
are not your or another taxpayer’s “qualifying child”
-
Gross
Income: Dependent
has to earn less than $4,050
in 2016.
-
Total
Support: You
provide more than half of
the total support for the year.
Member of Household or Relationship: The person (a friend, girlfriend, non blood
relative) must live with you all
year as a member of your household or be one of the relatives that
doesn’t have to live with you (mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle,
stepmother, stepfather, your child, stepchild, foster child, adopted child,
etc) Note: this list is not all inclusive.
