Hello, I have a question in regards to claiming dependents on taxes. I am the sole provider for my family. My boyfriend is disabled and has full custody of his son. I claim both of them as dependents each year. The IRS just rejected my return because they said a dependent I had on my return was already claimed. I know it was the ex. The catch is, the ex cannot file a return either as she has no taxable income, so her boyfriend claimed the son on his return. The ex does not pay child support (she claims she doesn't have enough money to give so my boyfriend just let it go).
In this situation, am I allowed to report the dependent filing as fraud or am I out of luck because I'm not legally the stepmom even though we've been together for years? The guy who claimed my boyfriend's son is not legally the stepdad either. He just happen to file taxes first I guess. My boyfriend and I pay for everything for his son and we have yet to see a dime from the ex and her boyfriend. If I can report it, do I show documentation of the custody agreement that my boyfriend has full custody? Is there also a way to file paperwork to make sure something like this doesn't happen in the future?
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any advice is appreciated.
