He Wants To Claim The Children on his Tax Returns!

[Anonymous]

No agreement. You’ll give $ to lawyers. But you keep deductions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have two children ages 11 & 13.

When the children's dad and I separated we agreed to share custody 50/ 50 without going through the court system. No one pays child support. We each cover our own expenses for the children.

Upon separation we agreed that I would claim the kids on my taxes.

I pay for their health care coverage through my job.

The kids also come to my house each day after school so their dad doesn't have to pay afterschool fees because he's not able to pick them up each day from the busstop.

Their dad also asks me to take them for extended periods of time (requests made 2 to 3 times per year) so that he can travel for personal reasons (not work). This works out to the kids being at my house slightly more days than the 50/50 schedule we agreed to throughout the year.

Their dad approached me this week saying that he wants to claim the kids on his taxes starting this year and going forward.

What is a fair way to handle his request keeping in mind that I pay more annually for the children in the form of medical/dental/vision (approx $4000 annually), more in terms of after school food/snacks (approx $2400 annually) since they come to my house each day afterschool, I'm also saving him $8,000 annually for afterschool care costs since I'm basically his free aftercare program each week. I looked at the SACC afterschool program for the kids and that's how much it would cost annually.

Based on the fact that I have them more physically plus pick up more of the costs annually I do not agree that he should be able to start claiming them starting this year. Especially since we are already 10 months into this tax year and I have already absorbed more of the costs and physical custody days.

How would you handle this request if your child's other parent approached with this request?

Who pays how much in child support?

Your itemized lists (afternoon snacks? Really?) are irrelevant, even the health insurance, as that affects child support.

The only thing that matters is where they stay the longest.

The smartest and easiest thing to do is either each claim one child or alternate years. Although the 13 yo is only eligible for the child tax credit for three more years so keep this in mind.

This is why people have written marriage settlement agreements. It should be spelled out in that. The absence of one creates situations like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:laugh and ask if he wants a formal custody agreement (presumably including child support)

You know that could possibly mean SHE pays child support or SHE pays spousal support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two children ages 11 & 13.

When the children's dad and I separated we agreed to share custody 50/ 50 without going through the court system. No one pays child support. We each cover our own expenses for the children.

Upon separation we agreed that I would claim the kids on my taxes.

I pay for their health care coverage through my job.

The kids also come to my house each day after school so their dad doesn't have to pay afterschool fees because he's not able to pick them up each day from the busstop.

Their dad also asks me to take them for extended periods of time (requests made 2 to 3 times per year) so that he can travel for personal reasons (not work). This works out to the kids being at my house slightly more days than the 50/50 schedule we agreed to throughout the year.

Their dad approached me this week saying that he wants to claim the kids on his taxes starting this year and going forward.

What is a fair way to handle his request keeping in mind that I pay more annually for the children in the form of medical/dental/vision (approx $4000 annually), more in terms of after school food/snacks (approx $2400 annually) since they come to my house each day afterschool, I'm also saving him $8,000 annually for afterschool care costs since I'm basically his free aftercare program each week. I looked at the SACC afterschool program for the kids and that's how much it would cost annually.

Based on the fact that I have them more physically plus pick up more of the costs annually I do not agree that he should be able to start claiming them starting this year. Especially since we are already 10 months into this tax year and I have already absorbed more of the costs and physical custody days.

How would you handle this request if your child's other parent approached with this request?

Who pays how much in child support?

Your itemized lists (afternoon snacks? Really?) are irrelevant, even the health insurance, as that affects child support.

The only thing that matters is where they stay the longest.

The smartest and easiest thing to do is either each claim one child or alternate years. Although the 13 yo is only eligible for the child tax credit for three more years so keep this in mind.

This is why people have written marriage settlement agreements. It should be spelled out in that. The absence of one creates situations like this.

Read the 1st part, NOBODY pays child support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two children ages 11 & 13.

When the children's dad and I separated we agreed to share custody 50/ 50 without going through the court system. No one pays child support. We each cover our own expenses for the children.

Upon separation we agreed that I would claim the kids on my taxes.

I pay for their health care coverage through my job.

The kids also come to my house each day after school so their dad doesn't have to pay afterschool fees because he's not able to pick them up each day from the busstop.

Their dad also asks me to take them for extended periods of time (requests made 2 to 3 times per year) so that he can travel for personal reasons (not work). This works out to the kids being at my house slightly more days than the 50/50 schedule we agreed to throughout the year.

Their dad approached me this week saying that he wants to claim the kids on his taxes starting this year and going forward.

What is a fair way to handle his request keeping in mind that I pay more annually for the children in the form of medical/dental/vision (approx $4000 annually), more in terms of after school food/snacks (approx $2400 annually) since they come to my house each day afterschool, I'm also saving him $8,000 annually for afterschool care costs since I'm basically his free aftercare program each week. I looked at the SACC afterschool program for the kids and that's how much it would cost annually.

Based on the fact that I have them more physically plus pick up more of the costs annually I do not agree that he should be able to start claiming them starting this year. Especially since we are already 10 months into this tax year and I have already absorbed more of the costs and physical custody days.

How would you handle this request if your child's other parent approached with this request?

Who pays how much in child support?

Your itemized lists (afternoon snacks? Really?) are irrelevant, even the health insurance, as that affects child support.

The only thing that matters is where they stay the longest.

The smartest and easiest thing to do is either each claim one child or alternate years. Although the 13 yo is only eligible for the child tax credit for three more years so keep this in mind.

This is why people have written marriage settlement agreements. It should be spelled out in that. The absence of one creates situations like this.

Read the 1st part, NOBODY pays child support.

There’s the first problem right there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No agreement. You’ll give $ to lawyers. But you keep deductions

Deductions for kids are gone thanks to Trump. There are only child tax credits which will go away if Trump wins. May be moot argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two children ages 11 & 13.

When the children's dad and I separated we agreed to share custody 50/ 50 without going through the court system. No one pays child support. We each cover our own expenses for the children.

Upon separation we agreed that I would claim the kids on my taxes.

I pay for their health care coverage through my job.

The kids also come to my house each day after school so their dad doesn't have to pay afterschool fees because he's not able to pick them up each day from the busstop.

Their dad also asks me to take them for extended periods of time (requests made 2 to 3 times per year) so that he can travel for personal reasons (not work). This works out to the kids being at my house slightly more days than the 50/50 schedule we agreed to throughout the year.

Their dad approached me this week saying that he wants to claim the kids on his taxes starting this year and going forward.

What is a fair way to handle his request keeping in mind that I pay more annually for the children in the form of medical/dental/vision (approx $4000 annually), more in terms of after school food/snacks (approx $2400 annually) since they come to my house each day afterschool, I'm also saving him $8,000 annually for afterschool care costs since I'm basically his free aftercare program each week. I looked at the SACC afterschool program for the kids and that's how much it would cost annually.

Based on the fact that I have them more physically plus pick up more of the costs annually I do not agree that he should be able to start claiming them starting this year. Especially since we are already 10 months into this tax year and I have already absorbed more of the costs and physical custody days.

How would you handle this request if your child's other parent approached with this request?

Who pays how much in child support?

Your itemized lists (afternoon snacks? Really?) are irrelevant, even the health insurance, as that affects child support.

The only thing that matters is where they stay the longest.

The smartest and easiest thing to do is either each claim one child or alternate years. Although the 13 yo is only eligible for the child tax credit for three more years so keep this in mind.

This is why people have written marriage settlement agreements. It should be spelled out in that. The absence of one creates situations like this.

Read the 1st part, NOBODY pays child support.

There’s the first problem right there.

No it's actually awesome 2 adults support themselves and the children. You know SHE might have to pay him.

Your an adult you pay for your stuff, I pay for my stuff and we split the kids stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two children ages 11 & 13.

When the children's dad and I separated we agreed to share custody 50/ 50 without going through the court system. No one pays child support. We each cover our own expenses for the children.

Upon separation we agreed that I would claim the kids on my taxes.

I pay for their health care coverage through my job.

The kids also come to my house each day after school so their dad doesn't have to pay afterschool fees because he's not able to pick them up each day from the busstop.

Their dad also asks me to take them for extended periods of time (requests made 2 to 3 times per year) so that he can travel for personal reasons (not work). This works out to the kids being at my house slightly more days than the 50/50 schedule we agreed to throughout the year.

Their dad approached me this week saying that he wants to claim the kids on his taxes starting this year and going forward.

What is a fair way to handle his request keeping in mind that I pay more annually for the children in the form of medical/dental/vision (approx $4000 annually), more in terms of after school food/snacks (approx $2400 annually) since they come to my house each day afterschool, I'm also saving him $8,000 annually for afterschool care costs since I'm basically his free aftercare program each week. I looked at the SACC afterschool program for the kids and that's how much it would cost annually.

Based on the fact that I have them more physically plus pick up more of the costs annually I do not agree that he should be able to start claiming them starting this year. Especially since we are already 10 months into this tax year and I have already absorbed more of the costs and physical custody days.

How would you handle this request if your child's other parent approached with this request?

Who pays how much in child support?

Your itemized lists (afternoon snacks? Really?) are irrelevant, even the health insurance, as that affects child support.

The only thing that matters is where they stay the longest.

The smartest and easiest thing to do is either each claim one child or alternate years. Although the 13 yo is only eligible for the child tax credit for three more years so keep this in mind.

This is why people have written marriage settlement agreements. It should be spelled out in that. The absence of one creates situations like this.

Read the 1st part, NOBODY pays child support.

There’s the first problem right there.

No it's actually awesome 2 adults support themselves and the children. You know SHE might have to pay him.

Your an adult you pay for your stuff, I pay for my stuff and we split the kids stuff.

It’s not awesome at all. And if she has to pay him, GOOD. You insinuate there’s something wrong about that. If there’s an income imbalance someone should be paying the other.

[Anonymous]

Th if he makes more than you and therefore would save more tax money than you by declaring himself head of household (which also gives him a higher standard deduction), then he can reimburse you the difference of what you would be losing by not getting to claim head of household yourself. In the future you can keep doing this, or alternate years when each gets to claim HOH.

[Anonymous]

I would advise you to get this in writing so it is enforceable. You might agree on one thing but he gets a girlfriend -and he will suddenly forget the agreement. He will get greedy at some point and you can’t take him to court for every thing.

[Anonymous]

Seems like you could BOTH claim them, since it's a 50/50 living situation.

Perhaps you could each claim one though, as that would be the obvious fair and equitable thing to do.

[Anonymous]

You each can claim one. When the oldest hits age where they can’t be claimed any longer, alternate the youngest. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

He wants to claim as Head of Household. Makes a big difference.

[Anonymous]

The answer would be no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have two children ages 11 & 13.

When the children's dad and I separated we agreed to share custody 50/ 50 without going through the court system. No one pays child support. We each cover our own expenses for the children.

Upon separation we agreed that I would claim the kids on my taxes.

I pay for their health care coverage through my job.

The kids also come to my house each day after school so their dad doesn't have to pay afterschool fees because he's not able to pick them up each day from the busstop.

Their dad also asks me to take them for extended periods of time (requests made 2 to 3 times per year) so that he can travel for personal reasons (not work). This works out to the kids being at my house slightly more days than the 50/50 schedule we agreed to throughout the year.

Their dad approached me this week saying that he wants to claim the kids on his taxes starting this year and going forward.

What is a fair way to handle his request keeping in mind that I pay more annually for the children in the form of medical/dental/vision (approx $4000 annually), more in terms of after school food/snacks (approx $2400 annually) since they come to my house each day afterschool, I'm also saving him $8,000 annually for afterschool care costs since I'm basically his free aftercare program each week. I looked at the SACC afterschool program for the kids and that's how much it would cost annually.

Based on the fact that I have them more physically plus pick up more of the costs annually I do not agree that he should be able to start claiming them starting this year. Especially since we are already 10 months into this tax year and I have already absorbed more of the costs and physical custody days.

How would you handle this request if your child's other parent approached with this request?

11 and 13 year olds don’t need after school care. If your kids are in after school care you each pay half. You are saving yourself your half. Snacks are petty. Split the health insurance cost depending on who makes more above what it costs for one person. Each deduct a kid.