Why does it say that my sons don't qualify as my dependent? My ex and I take turns every year claiming them.

[xmasbaby0]

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.  If the child is 17 or older the non-custodial parent gets the $500 credit for other dependents.

If you and the other parent have a signed agreement, you need to indicate in MY INFO that you have such an agreement.

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.

Make sure you have entered your child as a dependent in My Info, and that you have entered the child's Social Security number.    Careful— do not say that your child’s SSN is not valid for employment.  If your child was born in 2025 make sure you said he lived with you the whole year.  There is an oddly worded question that asks if the child paid over half their own support.  Say NO to that question.

If your dependent was a full-time college student, make sure you were careful on the MY INFO screen for “Uncommon situations” and that you indicated there that they were a student.

[DoninGA]

Go back to My Info on the left side of the online program screen. Edit the dependent and carefully check your answers to the questions.

Make sure you select them as your Child, that you selected that they lived in your home for the Whole Year, temporary absence for education is deemed living in your home. That they did NOT provide over one-half of their own support (You Did), that you indicated there was no one else in the household providing support to them, and that you did NOT check the box labeled Not valid for employment in the Social Security number section.

If all your answers are correct then delete them as a dependent and re-enter.