i just started my first job a few months ago... I have a daughter i am with her father we are not married. He has been claiming her I was gonna claim her as single cuase i will get more money back (so i hear anyways) and me saying im single im not lying cause we arent married... So my question is .. do we have to notify someone stating I am going to claim her or do we just wait until we get our taxes done.. thanks for the help on this i just dont want to get into trouble in any way....
2007-07-28 19:08:41 · 4 answers · asked by Shannon K 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
talk with who her dad... he knows!
2007-07-28 19:13:34 · update #1
thanks!!! thats all i needed to know if i needed to give notice to anyone, we are very civil we are together we just arent married we have been together almost 9 years
2007-07-28 19:20:58 · update #2
You should talk with Him. Hopefully the two of you are in a cordial relationship, and agreeable to the common good.
Only ONE of you can claim her as a dependent. The IRS will not permit both of you to claim her, if you're both filing singly.
The IRS form 1040 instructions include the "tests" for determining dependency - they are relationship and major (over 50%) support. And no, you do not have to give notice to anyone.
If both of you claim her, the IRS will discover it. Ultimately one of you will be found to be legitimate, and the other will pay a penalty. Consult the IRS, if you must.
2007-07-28 19:12:37 · answer #1 · answered by me 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the child qualfies as a dependent of both parents, then either parent can claim that child. You do not have to give any notice.
If you claim your child and file as single, that is fine. You may get a bigger refund than if the father claimed the child. Figure the taxes both ways.
You can also split the tax benefits, since you are not married. This means that one parent files as head of household and claims the child as a dependent, claiming the child tax credit. The other parent files as single and claims the child for the Earned Income Credit, but not as a dependent. This might be a benefit to you.
2007-07-29 02:17:28 · answer #2 · answered by ninasgramma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't trust what you hear. If either of you qualify for the earned income tax credit, the rules are very complicated and you will have to work out all the scenarios. If you aren't willing to spend hours studying the rules, go to a tax preparer or at least run tax software.
You just file the forms when they're due. You don't have to pre-notify the IRS about anything unless you change your withholding (or estimated tax payments).
2007-07-29 18:30:54 · answer #3 · answered by Houyhnhnm 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to notify anyone official, but you should discuss this with her dad before you go to get your taxes done. By law either of you can claim her, and you can decide based on who would save the most in taxes - that's not necessarily you, although it might be. Your tax person should be able to figure it both ways, and tell you.
2007-07-29 11:59:55 · answer #4 · answered by Judy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋