If your child lives with you, then you are the custodial parent. The custodial parent is entitled to claim the Head of Household status, EIC and Child Care Credit if they qualify. If this is the case, leave your child on your return for these benefits. If your child lives with his father, there is no reason to have him on your return, since he claims him.
If he did live with you, here is a guide to separating residence (you) from dependency (your ex).
The screens can be
tricky. Basically, if the question
applies to residence, it pertains to Head of Household, Child Care and EIC. If
the question is about claiming the child, it has to do with dependency.
You have to indicate that you
are allowing the other parent to claim the exemption or that the other parent
is allowing you to claim the exemption.
Dependency
Questions/Non-custodial parent
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 2018?
Head of Household Questions/Custodial parent
What's
Megan's relationship to you?
How
many months did Megan live with you in 2018?
Where
did Megan spend the most nights in 2018?
Did a
relative live in your home and help support Megan?
