My daughter was born in 1995. I left her father when she was 8 months old and he terminated all paternal rights. I had my parents adopt her so she would have medical insurance and also to ensure I would not be harassed by her father. So legally, she is my sister. We live in Florida-if that makes a difference in any replies I may receive.
My daughter/'sister' and I lived at home with my parents from 1995-2006. I have ALWAYS worked. I claimed head of household and received the EIC from 1996-2006. My father never had a problem with this before. But now that he and my mother are splitting up and I have been helping her get her life together, he has threatened that he will report me to the IRS and I 'will owe tens of thousands of dollars to the IRS'. I guess he is doing this to hurt me or to make me back off helping my mom get away from him...
Do I have anything to worry about? Please help me. My mom is Asian and he makes threats all the time and we never know what to believe...
2007-06-08 12:51:42 · 7 answers · asked by GodivaChocolateStarfish 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
This is for Greg H. below, who may think I am a dumbass. Perhaps you should look up qualifications for the EIC and qualifications for 'head of household', and then you can take your own advice and 'shut up'. I am not a stupid person; I am just looking for answers b/c I am concerned. Unfortunately, I realize that not everyone who 'answers' is not going to be kind or even very intelligent. Just wanted to hear what people had to say out there.
I worked full-time, provided more than half the costs of my daughter's care and shelter, and had my taxes done by H&R Block every year. So yes, I do qualify as head of household, and yes, I do qualify for the EIC.
Thanks for your answer though, sir-I believe it was the best you could come up with.
2007-06-08 13:30:21 · update #1
And for you to suggest that I 'shut up' when you state that you were not provided enough info to determine a correct or more thorough answer, well, have a nice warm glass yourself.
2007-06-08 13:32:25 · update #2
Thank you for your replies... I'm not looking only to be told that I am correct or that I am 'right'; I am just honestly scared and want to know what can happen. I am not overreacting as my father has already sent in the paperwork and he is extremely vindictive and controlling and retired and unemployed so he has a LOT of time on his hands, and I am hurt a little but what can I do, except wait and see and deal with it when it comes... I have researched the best I can with the limited knowledge I have on this topic but I am still worried b/c I may not know of angles or loopholes he can 'get' me from.
Anyway, thanks for not being condescending or judgmental... If you need more info to give me a more thorough answer, please just ask me in an email.
2007-06-09 09:59:46 · update #3
You may not have any problems...there is not enough info to determine for sure whether you qualify as HOH.
Did your parents work while you lived with them? How much did you earn compared to them? Did they pay the mortgage/rent or did you? Who paid the child's medical bills? Did they claim you on their tax return?
If you paid more than 50% of the support for the child and can show that you did you shouldn't have a problem with receiving the EITC. Email me if you want and answer the questions and I can give you a more definitive answer.
2007-06-08 14:08:15 · answer #1 · answered by Tater1966 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you won't have a tax problem, as your modified answer contains information confirming that you qualify as HOH and for the EIC.
But with your vindictive dad also being the legal parent of your daughter, he's got a lot of ammo to screw with you. I hope this works out for you and your mom.
2007-06-08 19:50:26 · answer #2 · answered by raichasays 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The IRS knows how old your baby was - the birthdate is associated with their ss# which you have to provide. But read the rest of the instructions. If the baby was born that year and lived with you for whatever time they were alive not counting time in the hospital, they are a qualifying child as far as living with you goes. They don't have to meet the 6 months.
2016-05-20 05:10:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've got a problem kid. You were NOT a head of household and you probably were not entitled to the EITC, though you didn'tn present enough facts for me to make that determination. You need to shut up and hope the statute of limitations runs before you get caught.
I will say this, to the extent that your dad encouraged you, he is complicit, of course, that probably can't be proven!
By the way, just because you made certain contributions to the raisign of the child does not mean you get the EITC, you have to be the primary means of support for the kid. Were you? Either way, you were NOT the head of household if the parents were putting a roof over your head.
2007-06-08 13:00:42 · answer #4 · answered by Gregory H 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes, there could be a problem if your Dad pursued the issue because if your parents legally adopted the child, you would not have legal status to declare her as dependent, therefore, could not legally file as head of household.
2007-06-08 19:48:48 · answer #5 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um your daughter lived with you and you provided money for her care, it doesn't matter who had legal custody. Break out your 1040 instructions honey you had the right to the earned income credit.
2007-06-08 12:58:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Does your dad know that failure to report a crime is a crime itself?
2007-06-09 09:39:25 · answer #7 · answered by Chuck S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋