My husband and I just got married in June and were wondering how we should file our taxes to get the most money back. I have a daughter (who is not his child), I always have been considered head of household and claimed her as a dependent. Can he claim her also even though he is not her biological father? Would it be better for us to file married but seperatley? I'm just not sure what to do and we want to be prepared for this years taxes.
Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
2006-09-03 09:38:04 · 3 answers · asked by Ang 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
Most likely, married filing joint is your best option. The rules on who can claim the child of divorced parents are pretty specific since the IRS doesn't want to get in the middle of family squabbles, and can depend on your divorce decree. If you've been the one claiming her, you and your new husband would still claim her on the joint return.
A person who is married on the last day of the year can't file head of household. You could both file married filing separately, but in most circumstances that would result in a higher tax payment. If you use turbotax or something like that, figure it both ways - in some unusual circumstances, you could come out better filing separately, but not likely.
And contrary to what the other responder said, you get an exemption and maybe a child tax credit for each child no matter how many you have.
As to child support owed, there is a provision called injured spouse that would allow you to get your share of the refund even if your spouse owed back child support and his refund got grabbed for that.
2006-09-03 11:03:00 · answer #1 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whoever made more should claim her as long as she's lived in the household for more than six months. if you have more than three children then it doesn't really matter if you claim her or not. there is a limit on how much you can make and a limit on the maximum amount you can get back. claiming married would be the best bet unless you owe or he owes child support to someone else. if that's the case file married but seperate so the custodial parent of the other childeren doesn't get both of your income tax for past due child support.
2006-09-03 09:43:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can no longer claim head of household. Claim married filing joint, otherwise it is possible that you will loose other potential deductions. You can take all the deductions for all children that have been living with you and in your care.
2006-09-03 11:45:10 · answer #3 · answered by It's me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋