Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Feb 24, 2021 11:28:44 PM

My baby born 11/1/20 and stayed in the hospital until 11/25/20 n foster family took him in but I didn’t have court taking custody away till 12/8 .can I claim as bio. Mom

0 5 404
5 Replies
Employee Tax Expert
Feb 25, 2021 5:45:38 AM

Unfortunately No.  Even though you are the Mom, your baby did not live with you, and the foster parents provided for her.  These are two of the criteria necessary to be able to claim a dependent.

New Member
Feb 25, 2021 6:18:44 AM

Yes but I provided for her while in the hospital. And it was more than the time she was with the foster family 

Employee Tax Expert
Feb 25, 2021 10:51:54 AM

If the child physically spent more nights with you (and the time in the hospital counts as time with you), then you would be the custodial parent for tax year 2020. 

 

However,  It appears the foster parents have the child physically spending the entire month of December and part of November with them meaning they are custodial parents for 2020. 

 

Here is a link with the IRS definition of custodial parent.

 

 

 

 

 

    

New Member
Feb 26, 2021 9:57:46 AM

Yes but but the court they didn’t gain custody until December 10th does that matter. 

Level 15
Feb 26, 2021 10:03:06 AM


@msclark1129 wrote:

Yes but but the court they didn’t gain custody until December 10th does that matter. 


Physical custody is what counts (how many nights spent in each home).   Court ordered custody is irreverent and is not the same a tax custody which is physical custody.