My ex fiance says he needs our twins social security numbers to file his taxes on turbo tax even though he is not claiming them. Is this accurate or is he trying to trick

[nicholem989]

I have my twins 75% of the time. My ex fiance (their father) just asked me for their social security numbers even though I am claiming them both because I have covered most of their expenses since I have them more. He says he needs the SSNs to file on turbo tax. Is this true or is he trying to trick me?

[xmasbaby0]

If he is not trying to claim the children he has absolutely NO reason to enter their SSN's on his tax return.  And if he gets those SSN's and uses them on a tax return before YOU file, your own return will be rejected when you try to e-file.  That would require you to file by mail, which takes much longer for the IRS to process.

Do you have any sort of court order that ordered you to file a Form 8332?   IF you have such an order you may have to let him get the child tax credit.  But be careful----there are some deadbeat dads out there who will mess up your tax return and your ability to claim your children.

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.

[Vanessa A · Accepted solution]

If he is not claiming your children, there is no reason for him to enter them on his return.  If he does and files first your return will be rejected for duplicate use of a social security number.  Then you would need to print and mail your return. 

You only enter your children's social security numbers on your return if you are claiming them for a deduction or credit or to be considered head of household.  You do not enter them just because you have kids.