I have the a similar question. My ex is unemployed she get 1200 a month in unemployement plus 250 in child support for her other child and I pay 600 a month. She can't claim our daughter she told our older son to claim her and he lives with me and I help support him as well. Shouldn't I be able to claim her. I think the system is all wrong any advice?

The amount of income you receive doesn't determine who can claim a child as a dependent.

Where does the child live? With you? With the mother? With the brother/your son?

There are specific IRS guidelines.

Tax advice: who can claim a child as a dependent after a divorce? (http://www.essortment.com/career/divorcedtaxsup_sykz.htm)

My child lives with her mother who cannot claim her. So she has asked my son (21) who lives with me to claim her. He does not suppost her.

Again, WHY can't she claim the daughter?

She was told she couldn't claim her because she has been uneployed for the past two years.