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Level 1
December 21, 2020
Question

If my divorce documents say my ex claims 1 child but the federal laws changed that custodial claims all children which one should go by?

  • December 21, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 9 views
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2 replies

Level 5
December 21, 2020

the  IRS says the custodial parent CAN claim them provided all the tests for qualifying child or relative are met. however, by claiming that 1 child you could possibly find yourself held in contempt of court. if you don't want that furnish your ex with signed form 8332. 

 

https://www.irshttps://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8332.pdf.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8332.pdf 

Level 15
December 21, 2020

The IRS cares about who the custodial parent is--not divorce papers.

 

Are you the custodial parent?  Do you have an agreement with the other parent to allow the other parent to claim them--due to divorce or that you live apart and share custody?  Did one of you sign a Form 8332?

 

If there is a signed 8332 then the custodial parent retains the right to file as Head of Household, get earned income credit and the childcare credit + education credits if the child is a full-time college student.  The non-custodial parent gets the child tax credit for children under the age of 17.

 

As far as the IRS is concerned, the custodial parent is the one with whom the child spent the most nights during the tax year--at least 183 nights.

 

**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.**