What should I know about child support payments and claiming independents when filing taxes?

Answer by  myanna (104)

If you have official paperwork, like a child support agreement or a divorce decree, that should tell you whether you or the child's other parent can claim him/her.

Answer by  Kurt (4579)

The general rule is that you can claim a dependent on your taxes if you pay more than half of their living expenses. You can also claim a dependent if you are divorced and have an agreement on claiming the children as dependents. You can always look up more details on the IRS website.

Answer by  DawnMarie (22)

Child support payments are not taxable. Your divorce decree should state who gets to claim dependents on their taxes. If it isn't stated, the parent who has the child the most number of nights in the year is the one who takes the exemption. There is an IRS form (8332)where one parent can sign a release to claim the children.

Answer by  lauraa (83)

First, the IRS will not let two people claim the same child so if the other parent claimed the child you can't. You should be able to get something from the court for how much child support you received for the year. The child would be a dependent not independent if be claimed on your taxes.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

Child support payments, like alimony, can reduce your taxable income. Who gets to file the child as a dependent depends on your divorce decree or who provides 50%+ of support.

Answer by  Leah42 (35)

Child support payments are not deductible to the parent who pays child support, or includible in gross income to the parent who receives child support. The parent who the child lives with more than 50% of the time should claim that child as a dependent, unless the court has ruled otherwise. You should see a tax professional to be sure.

Answer by  JamesRaymond (93)

Child support expenses cannot be claimed on you income tax; only alimony can be claimed. Claiming children as dependents depends on the agreement between spouses. Only one party can claim a child as a dependent. Your legal separation agreement should outline who claims children as dependents for income tax purposes.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

Whoever claims the child as a dependent and files their taxes first gets the child's tax deduction. The tax credit for childcare is also claimable by whoever paid it.