Hi Guys, Can i claim property taxes & mortgage interest if i'm not claiming HH? My gf this year is claiming our daughter and HH status.

[23dream]

in the previous years i've always claimed everything (our daughter, property tax, mortgage interest etc...) From here on she would like for us to split up credits, she claims our daughter and HH status while i claim property tax, mortgage interest & other credits that apply (donations, school etc). We both make same, so it's not like one gains more or less. Can we do it as such, or should i still continue claiming everything as before? Also if we suddenly now split up the credits which only I used to claim, will it trigger a red flag? or am i just overthinking it. Thanks

[Vanessa · Accepted solution]

You can switch who claims your daughter.  

If you are both on the mortgage and deed and you both pay the mortgage and property taxes then you will need to split it based on how much you each pay.  If only one of you is on the deed/mortgage than only that person may claim the deduction. You do not have to be HH in order to itemize your return and claim interest and property taxes. You do have to be legally liable for the mortgage and taxes though. 

No, changing how you file or split credits (as long as you are eligible to do so) will not raise red flags.

[BobinCT]

But might there be an issue with claiming HH?

[Bsch4477]

Good point.  She would have to show, if audited, that she provided more than half of the expense of keeping up the home.  So if she is not claiming the expenses related to the home she might fail that qualification.