@CuriousK wrote:
A judge ordered she live with me full-time at the beginningof the year.
As in January 1st, or after January 1st?
It sounds like your parental rights were terminated, so in the view of the law, unfortunately your child isn't considered your child. Does that sound right?
If the law does not consider her your child, you can't claim her based on the rules for a "Qualifying Child", but you would look at the rules for a "Qualifying Relative" (which does not actually have to be related).
One of the rules for a "Qualifying Relative" is that a non-relative (in your case, legally not your child) must live with you ALL year, which is why I asked about January 1st.
*IF* she is NOT considered your Qualifying Child [because the law does not view her as related to you] but *IS* considered as your Qualifying Relative [which includes non-related people, but need to live with you ALL year], you can claim her as a dependent, BUT only qualify for the $500 credit. On step 3 of the W-4, you would enter her as an "other dependent" for the $500.
EDIT: As soon as I posted this answer, I realized you said you had "legal custody". That might change the rules, and as Opus said, you might be considered in the same category as a Foster Parent, in which case his answer may be correct.
