Irked

[pls5286]

I am beyond irked today. My sister called me last night wanting to claim my DD on her taxes this year because I am disabled. She says I should let her and her DH claim one kid and my parents claim the other because I have no taxable income!!!

I have a news flash. My DF and I lived together ALL year last year, so he can claim me and the kids as dependents, just not claim the child tax credit on them until we get married.

My sister in no way supported my kids at all, is just looking for a bigger refund and is not offering any of it to us.

 

[indimom]

WTH???? Can you even do that without some sort of legal guardianship?

 

[mcever4]

I don't see how anyone other than you can claim your children on their taxes! Have they ever heard of TAX FRAUD !

 

[Leshaface]

That is complete BS!!!

 

[msmayor]

So, you're not married to this guy but he's claiming all of you as dependents?

I don't even think THAT'S allowed since you're not legally 'related' to him and therefore won't meet the 'relationship' test.

 

[J/T Gramdma]

I agree that if she did not support your children, she should not claim them as it is illegal. How ever I claimed my grandkids when my daughter did not, but I also provided all their health and welfare. [food, clothing,personal expenses] Did I also tell you they lived in our home for 9 months of the year. If you provide care for more than six months , it is legal.

 

[tlbwriter]

Well, I'd tell her that if she wants to support your kids next year, you'd be happy to let her claim them as dependents. Next year.

And like another poster, I'm confused as to how your DF (I assume this is fiance?) can claim you and your children as dependents.

 

[Ava]

So, you're not married to this guy but he's claiming all of you as dependents?

I don't even think THAT'S allowed since you're not legally 'related' to him and therefore won't meet the 'relationship' test.

The IRS definition of a "dependent" can include any person who lived in your home & for whom you provided over half of their financial support. Does not have to be a biological or legal relationship.

 

[tlbwriter]

The IRS definition of a "dependent" can include any person who lived in your home & for whom you provided over half of their financial support. Does not have to be a biological or legal relationship.

Thanks for the info. But why can't he or the OP claim the child credit as well?

 

[pls5286]

He can't claim the child tax credit because he is not their step-dad (yet).

 

[mcever4]

Hey Patty, I see you are from GA. Which part? I'm in North GA, and hour north of ATL!!!

Robin

 

[tlbwriter]

He can't claim the child tax credit because he is not their step-dad (yet).

But (I'm showing my ignorance here) could the OP claim them, even though she doesn't have taxable income, since it's a credit and not a deduction?

 

[pls5286]

Robin, I am just outside of Athens

 

[pls5286]

No, I have tried and it doesn't work. No taxable income means no credits.

 

[Ava]

Thanks for the info. But why can't he or the OP claim the child credit as well?

The definition of a "qualifying child" for the Child Tax Credit is different from the definition of a "dependent." I don't know how to explain it, but in the instruction booklet for the 1040 forms there are charts that help you determine if the person you want to claim qualifies as a dependent, and as a qualifying child.

 

[mcever4]

Your not too far from me I guess, depending on which side of Athens. I am in Gainesville. We get to Athens every few months or so when I need a Varsity fix!

 

[pls5286]

I am in Madison

 

[kamik86]

The only thing like that which I have heard that didn't seem illegal is what myself and most of my friends did in college. We had jobs and thus had taxable income, but even when we had a 6 month co-op (full time making 15-20 an hour) we tended to make so little at our part time during classes jobs that we barely paid any federal taxes at all even without claiming ourselves. So we would let our parents claim us instead. The way my parents and I did it is that my mom figured out her taxes both ways (with me and without me as a dependent) and whatever extra she got back for claiming me she would send me half of. This was always more money then I paid in taxes so we both won this way.

 

[mcever4]

My husbands family has a bunch of land in Madison. They have had it for years! I think they have been trying to sell it for years too, but with the economy the way it is, I don't see that happening anytime soon!

 

[Marionnette]

I am beyond irked today. My sister called me last night wanting to claim my DD on her taxes this year because I am disabled. She says I should let her and her DH claim one kid and my parents claim the other because I have no taxable income!!!

I have a news flash. My DF and I lived together ALL year last year, so he can claim me and the kids as dependents, just not claim the child tax credit on them until we get married.

My sister in no way supported my kids at all, is just looking for a bigger refund and is not offering any of it to us.

That was a pretty bold thing for her to ask. And certainly not legal to do. But are you upset because she asked you to aid in committing tax fraud or because she didn't offer to give you something in return for allowing her to use your daughter? Your last line seems to imply that you would have been okay with the arrangement if she had offered you some kind of kickback.