[strugglingmom]

I am an unemployed single mother of two children not collecting unemployment or tanf, only source of income is child support. How can I claim my children as dependents? Am I not allowed anything on taxes because I cannot find work?

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Sorry, but if your ONLY income is child support, then you cannot file a tax return. Child support is neither taxable income for the recipient nor a tax deduction for the payor.

If you are getting ALIMONY, THAT income IS taxable.

I assume you are the custodial parent. If so, you MAY be able to get some money from the father in exchange for allowing HIM to claim the children on HIS tax return.

[ashleeee]

U can file if you are self employed and you have to sign a 8332 form before your husband can claim your child. If u haven't and he already this then he is in trouble I just went through this lastnight

[Fr_Chuck]

What do you mean "allowed anything on taxes" income tax filing is not a charity, you file to either pay more taxes or to get YOUR own money that you pay in back.

If you had no income, of if you paid no taxes in, there is nothing to file for.

[ScottGem]

As Chuck has said, the main purpose of filing an income tax return is to get a refund of your PREPAID tax liabilty. The prepaid amounts come from salary withholdings or prepaid quarterly amounts. So, if you had no prepaid taxes, there is nothing to get back. There are some credits that might have gotten you some money, but you have to have earned income to claim them. And Child Support doesn't qualify as ATE said.

I would take his suggestion and see what the father will give you if you allow him to claim the children.