Claim Foster Child

[mmpwhit]

We started fostering last year and got a placement  in October. We picked her up from the hospital 2 days after she was born. I know to claim a foster child they have to live with you for more than 6 months. Since she was born in Octobe and we had her since the beginning is there a way to claim her? 

[VictoriaD75]

If the foster child was in your home for 6 months + 1 day you can claim the child. If the child was born in the current tax year, then it would be 1/2 their life +1 day.

[mmpwhit]

That was my understanding as well. When I put the information in the Turbo Tax software it states that they do not qualify. Not for sure how to get around this. 

[CatinaT1]

You will need to show she lived with you the entire year since she was born this year.

[Opus 17]

Since the child lived with you more than half the time since birth, she qualifies as a dependent.  Because of how Turbotax asks the question, answer "all year" (or anything longer than 7 months) to get her qualified.

Also, she must have been placed by an authorized agency under state law.  Some private placements may not qualify.

Also also, she needs a social security number.  If you don't have it but it is applied for, don't file until you get it.  Get an extension until October 15 if you need to.  Certain tax credits will only be paid if the child has a valid SSN when you file an "on time" tax return.  If you can't get an SSN because of the situation, but you are planning to adopt, you can apply for a temporary adoption tax number. 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayer-identification-numbers-tin

[mmpwhit]

Thank you for the info. I will put the whole year. I did request the SSN and received it and she was placed by a the state agency.