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posted May 31, 2019 10:51:32 PM

My fiance owes back child support. I have been supporting him the full year. Can I file him as a dependent without child support trying to take my refund for his arrears?

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
May 31, 2019 10:51:33 PM

Your refund will not be reduced for your fiancee's child support arrears. The federal Refund Offset Program can be used to take the refund when a married couple files a joint return, and one of the spouses has a debt subject to offset.

Whether you can claim him as a dependent is a different subject. You may be able to claim his exemption, but he could not have had income for the year of $4050 or more.  See this link for more information about claiming an exemption for a girlfriend or boyfriend: http://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-deductions-and-credits-2/can-i-claim-my-girlfriend-or-boyfriend-...

But whether you claim him or not, your refund won't be applied to his child support arrears.

1 Replies
Expert Alumni
May 31, 2019 10:51:33 PM

Your refund will not be reduced for your fiancee's child support arrears. The federal Refund Offset Program can be used to take the refund when a married couple files a joint return, and one of the spouses has a debt subject to offset.

Whether you can claim him as a dependent is a different subject. You may be able to claim his exemption, but he could not have had income for the year of $4050 or more.  See this link for more information about claiming an exemption for a girlfriend or boyfriend: http://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-deductions-and-credits-2/can-i-claim-my-girlfriend-or-boyfriend-...

But whether you claim him or not, your refund won't be applied to his child support arrears.