topic Question about Dependants and form 8332 in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Question about Dependants and form 8332

Saavedro88 — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 01:59:11 GMT

I have an agreement with my child's custodian parent that I can claim my child on my taxes as a dependent even though I only have custody of the child for about 2 months out of the year. I have never had an issue doing this until this year, for some reason there are absolutely NO options that I can select that will allow Turbo Tax to give me the tax break for this dependent. I even have a physical form 8332 (which I have never needed before), but there is nowhere for me to select that I have this form and that I am allowed to claim this dependent. This feels like a glitch or some sort of backend error, and I don't feel like I should have to pay 80$ for the upgraded "Expert Assist" just to be able to get the website to acknowledge something that I have been able to do every year for the past four years. Can anyone help me figure out what I need to do here?

Re: Question about Dependants and form 8332

xmasbaby0 — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 03:58:00 GMT

If you enter the child as a dependent in MY INFO there is a screen that asks you if you have an agreement with another parent ----click the dependent's name in MY INFO and go back slowly and carefully through all of the screens---read every screen top to bottom.

The custodial parent retains the right to file as head of household, get earned income credit and use the childcare credit.

The non-custodial parent (you) --- with a form 8332--- has the right to claim the child as a dependent for the child tax credit or the credit for other dependents.

Re: Question about Dependants and form 8332

Saavedro88 — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:59:42 GMT

Trust me when I say, I have spent HOURS on this page so far trying every combination of checked boxes that I can, and none of them will get me where I need. All I ever get at the end of my attempts is: "It turns out you don't qualify for these credits."

Re: Question about Dependants and form 8332

Sam Hopi — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:33:01 GMT

Should custodial parent file 8332 as well?

Re: Question about Dependants and form 8332

LindaS5247 — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:40:55 GMT

No, Form 8332 is only filed by the noncustodial parent with their tax return (or mailed with Form 8453 after e-filing their tax return).

The custodial parent is the only one that has to complete and sign Form 8332. This releases the claim exemption. The custodial parent does not attach it to their own return but should keep a copy of it with their tax return for proof of the release.

Click here for Form 8453.

Click here for About Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return.

Click here for Form 8332.

Click here for About Form 8332, Release/Revocation of Release of Claim to Exemption for Child by Custodial Parent.

Please return to Community if you have any additional information or questions and we would be happy to help.