Acceptable Documentation for Claiming Dependent?

[robinl4415]

My ex informed me that he is claiming our youngest son because our 18 year old son no longer provides him with any tax benefit. Our youngest son was with me for 184 nights last year and I can prove it through texts, emails, and photos on my phone. I would like to know what information will be the most helpful when the IRS audits the both of us. Should I be saving screen shots and time stamped photos in addition to the calendar that I have filled out?

[MarilynG1 · Accepted solution]

When you mail in your return claiming a Dependent also claimed by someone else, some documentation can be from school records, medical records, and church records.

Your 18-year old son can still be claimed for $500 on your ex's return as an 'Other Dependent'.

If you are the Custodial Parent, only you can claim the Earned Income Credit (EIC) even if the other parent claims Dependency for the Child Tax Credit.  He should have Form 8332 signed by you in order to do this and you can indicate this in the MY INFO section for your child. 

Click this link for more info on When Both Parents Claim a Child. 

This link provides details on Splitting Child Credits. 

[robinl4415]

We can split that down the middle. I have all the school documents at my address and because his dad has the health insurance he has those records. But I can send it the school documents with my return. Thank you. 

As for my oldest, he earned over $16,500 last year while maintaining full time student status. His loans are in his name as well, so I don’t think his dad was able to prove dependency. 

I did not qualify for the EIC and I know their dad makes more than I do, so that is off the table for both of us. 

Thank you for the info. 

[MarilynG1]

You are most welcome.  For your full-time student, it doesn't matter how much he earned, he could still be a dependent.

If he lived at home and did not pay mortgage/rent, utilities, food, health care, etc. he could still be a dependent, but that is up to the family to decide. 

Here's a link about Support you may find interesting.