If you have a child but the dad is barly helping you take care of this child and I do mean barly and he just ups and claim the child can you still claim and if you can how do you do that

I don't know how he can claim the child if the child doesn't live with him. If you are the major caregiver then you are allowed to claim the child as a dependent.

If you have custody of the child then you can claim the child as your dependent, even though the father may be providing some support - unless there is a written divorce or separation agreement stating otherwise. File your taxes showing the child as your dependent. If the father has already filed claiming the child, you will have to file a paper return rather than e-file. I suggest you include a note with your return stating that you have custody and the child lived with you - that way when the IRS investigates why two people are claiming the same child they will go after the father and not you.