We had a foster care child in our home from the time he was born (June 2018) until the end of October. Can we claim him as a dependent?

[Steve10]

Our DCS worker said we should be able to, but the Turbo Tax software says he does not qualify as a dependent. If we can claim him, how do we get that to be so in the Turbo Tax software?

[DoninGA]

The child had to live in your home for over 6 months during the year before you would be able to claim them as dependent

[Opus 17]

In this case, the child only has to live in the taxpayers home more than half the length of time they were alive in 2018.

[Tattedhaven]

A child must live in your home for a least 6 month of the year. You would need to refine your tax and get paper work stating you took care of this said child. You will also need to make sure some else is not claim the same child. A delay and aduit could accrue if someone trys to claim him as well as you.

[Opus 17]

A newborn only has to live in the home for more than half the number of days it was alive, Not more than half the total days of the year.

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

For a newborn, you can claim the child as a dependent if the child was placed in your home as a foster child and stayed there for more than half the number of days that the child was alive in 2018.   The interview is not always clear about newborns. If you select five months as the length of time the child lived with you, the child will not be a dependent. Instead, just select the entire year as the length of time the child lived with you. This will make the program work properly for your situation. 

 However, you also need the child’s social security number, even if this means getting an extension.  You may need to work with the state to get it. Don’t file your return without the Social Security number.   If you leave the child off your return, and later add the child as a dependent to an amended return when you have the Social Security number, any tax benefits it may be denied.  

To guarantee tax benefits for the child, you must file an on time return with the child listed and their Social Security number.  On time means filed before April 15, or filed before October 15 if you have an automatic extension approved before April 15.