Question about odd situation.

[prestonw12359]

The question is simply, Would the other parent need a child's social security number to file taxes for any reason other than to claim the child? He lives in Ohio and I live in Pennsylvania.

Now the irrelevant part. Me and child's mother have been together for years, I've raised this child, supported the child completely as mom doesn't work. he has never paid support up untill last year. Still doesn't account for half of expenses or even close but he is now insisting he needs child's social security number to file, keep in mind this wasn't the case last year. Is their truth to his statements or is he trying to play shady games? Thank you

[AlanT222]

There are only two reasons the parent would need the child's SSN, that would either be to claim the child as a dependent, or to use the child to qualify for head of household.  If the child lives with you and its mom, then he would not be able to qualify for head of household.  Therefore the only reason left would be to claim the child as a dependent.  

[MikeinSC]

Don’t you also need SSN for Earned Income Credit for a qualifying child (which means the child must live with you, so would not qualify in this case.)

[DianeC958]

Yes, you do need to have the Social Security Number to claim the child on your return for Earned Income Credit and as a dependent.

Link to Social Security Number and Claiming Earned Income Tax Credit

@MikeinSC