Can you claim you child as a dependent every year if the mother isn't working?

The IRS has rules on how to determine if you can claim someone as a dependent. Generally, if you are supplying more than half their support you can do so.

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

The IRS has rules on how to determine if you can claim someone as a dependent. Generally, if you are supplying more than half their support you can do so.

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Thanks Scott. Can you clarify that for me? She's married but isn't working so does that mean if I'm putting in more than 50% of the combined salaries of both parents I can claim him?

Thanks,
Gee

I would suggest going to the IRS website. There are insturctions for divorced parents claiming a child. It doesn't go by income, but if you paid $25K in child support and their combined income is less than $25K, then it would appear you paid more than half this support. Otherwise, you would need to determine what a reasonable amount would be for support a child and then compare that to what you paid in support.

Also if your court papers don't say anything then I would sugest going to court and get it settled. Who gets to claim or if you trade odd and even years.