Do i add any of my baby's information if i am not claiming him at all?

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
February 6, 2022
3 replies
23 views

Other parent is claiming our son i am not, do i still enter his information if i am not claiming him?

TurboTax Free Edition Online

LeonardS

Alumni - Intuit

No, do not add your baby's information if you are not claiming him. Only the parent claiming the baby should enter the baby's information on their tax return.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

NicoleSP72

Level 2

Yes! You should enter your child's information every year. Even if the other parent claims the child as a dependent, they may still help you qualify for "Head of Household" filing status, based on how much of the year they live with you. My ex-husband and I took turns claiming our daughter (who's now an adult) as a dependent on our taxes, but I was able to file as Head of Household EVERY year until she graduated from college and moved into her own place.

xmasbaby0

Level 15

If you and the other bio-parent live together with your child as a family, then only one of you should claim the child. The other parent files Single and does not enter anything about the child on their tax return.

In situations where the parents do not live together----whether they are divorced or never married---then the IRS cares which parent is the custodial parent. That is the parent who the child spends the most nights with---at least 183 nights in the year. The custodial parent may (or may not) sign a form 8332 that allows the non-custodial parent to claim the child for the child tax credit. But the custodial parent retains the right to file Head of Household, get earned income credit, and get the childcare credit.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**