Can someone please tell me how I take head of household without taking the dependency exemption this year?

[ktreeddb-gmail-c]

I am a full time single mom but under the agreement Dad gets to claim dependency exemption (but not Head of Household).  In Turbo Tax, I can't find a way to do this.

[xmasbaby0]

Are you the custodial parent?  Do you have an agreement with the other parent to allow the other parent to claim them--due to divorce or that you live apart and share custody?  Did one of you sign a Form 8332?

If there is a signed 8332 then the custodial parent retains the right to file as Head of Household, get earned income credit and the childcare credit.  The non-custodial parent gets the child tax credit for children under the age of 17.

As far as the IRS is concerned, the custodial parent is the one with whom the child spent the most nights during the tax year--at least 183 nights.

[ColeenD3 · Accepted solution]

The screens can be tricky. Basically, if the question applies to residence, it pertains to Head of Household. You have to indicate that you are allowing the other parent to claim the exemption.

Dependency Questions:

What's Megan's relationship to you?

We know Megan is_, but we have to ask: Did she pay for most of her living expenses?

Do you have an agreement with Megan's other parent about who can claim her?

Is Megan's other parent claiming Megan per your legal agreement?

Are you letting Megan's other parent claim Megan for 2020?

Head of Household Questions:

What's Megan's relationship to you?

How many months did Megan live with you in 2020?

Where did Megan spend the most nights in 2020?

Did a relative live in your home and help support Megan?

[ktreeddb-gmail-c]

Thank you - this helped very much and I was able to do it!

[ktreeddb-gmail-c]

Thank you - yes, I am the custodial parent and the only agreement is that Dad can claim the dependency exemption every other year.  I was able to fix it in TT by following the steps in the answer provided above.  Thank you for taking the time to respond!