"I have custody. Nobody else has ever claimed him nor is eligible to claim him. I have not filed in several years since he was younger".
Why hasn't anybody been claiming the child?
A child can be the “qualifying child” dependent of any close relative in the household. If you live with someone else, e.g. your parents, they may have been able to claim your child.
Instead, you coulda allowed the non-custodial parent to claim the children. Non-custodial parents are allowed to claim the child tax credit, but not the Earned income credit.
It may be possible for a qualified relative to file amended returns for past year tax credit.
