Yes, if this is your stepchild, you should be able to claim the earned income credit and to be Head of Household. You might contact the IRS to find out why you may not be entitled to some of the EITC claimed last year before attempting to claim it this year.
Did you receive an EITC letter informing you that you had to file Form 8862-Information To Claim Certain Credits After Disallowance this year? If so, there is an interview question in the EITC section that asks this. When you say yes, there will be a 8862 form that will generate in your return that will satisfy the terms of the letter.
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