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posted Apr 9, 2021 12:48:22 PM

Head of Household but will not claim my qualifying dependent (parent)

I met all the requirements as head of household with my father as my qualifying dependent. Can I file as HoH without claiming him as dependent? This is for future stimulus purposes. I want him to receive stimulus, not as my dependent.

 

I can see there's a section where the qualifying person should be entered without claiming, but it's kinda specific for a child. 

 

"If you checked the HOH or QW box, enter the child’s name if the qualifying person is a child but not your dependent."

 

Any thoughts/inputs? Thank you so much!

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2 Replies
Level 15
Apr 9, 2021 12:55:50 PM


@bit9009 wrote:

I met all the requirements as head of household with my father as my qualifying dependent. Can I file as HoH without claiming him as dependent? This is for future stimulus purposes. I want him to receive stimulus, not as my dependent.

 

I can see there's a section where the qualifying person should be entered without claiming, but it's kinda specific for a child. 

 

"If you checked the HOH or QW box, enter the child’s name if the qualifying person is a child but not your dependent."

 

Any thoughts/inputs? Thank you so much!


The ONLY time HOH can be claimed without claiming the person as a dependent is when the custodial parent has released a minor child to the non-custodial parent to claim the child tax credit and the custodial parent is claiming HOH.    That rule only applies to divorced of separate parents who live apart.

 

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501#en_US_2020_publink1000220779

Level 15
Apr 9, 2021 1:34:54 PM

I want him to receive stimulus 

 

It doesn't work that way, and you do not get to choose.  He is not eligible for the stimulus if he qualifies to be your (or anyone else's) dependent.  It does not matter whether you actually claim him or not.