Tag: qualifying relative

Posts Tagged ‘qualifying relative’

What do I do if someone else claimed my dependent?

Posted by Manisha Hansraj on October 16, 2018
Last modified: October 10, 2019

someone else claimed my dependent

In the worst case scenario, the IRS rejects your tax return.

Someone else claimed my dependent. What should I do? Luckily, the IRS gives you options in case you’re stuck in this situation.

Unfortunately, the IRS cannot disclose who claimed your dependent. Typically it’s either the other parent, their child claimed themselves as an exemption on their individual tax return, another member of the household such as the grandparent, or any other person that lived with the child for a portion of the year.

What you need to do.

If you’re filing a current year return, you may receive a rejection due to your dependent’s social security number. In this case, you should double-check that you reported their SSN correctly.

If it is reported correctly, you will need to paper file your return; meaning you must print, sign and mail your return to the IRS. You cannot e-file it since the IRS will reject it again.

You may receive a CP87A Notice which notifies each party that if they incorrectly claimed the dependent, they need to file an amended tax form. If you can rightfully claim the dependent, you do not need to respond to this notice. In order to dispute the claim of your dependent, you will need to attach a cover letter (more…)

The Child Tax Credit & Additional Child Tax Credit Changes for 2018!

Posted by Manisha Hansraj on July 23, 2018
Last modified: January 23, 2019

child tax credit 2018

Let your kids treat you by giving you the tax break you deserve.

Typically, for the prior tax years, (including the tax year 2017) you can receive up to $1,000 per qualifying child for the Child Tax Credit (CTC). You may even get the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) which is a refundable credit that you may receive if your CTC exceeds the total amount of income taxes you owe. However, you need an income of at least $3,000. It phases out for taxpayers with the AGI of $75,000 or greater and $110,000 for joint filers.

The good news is that the CTC and the ACTC increases for the next tax year.

Read on to find out the changes for 2018.

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Who Qualifies as a Dependent on Your Taxes?

Posted by admin on May 14, 2012
Last modified: December 20, 2016

Find out who you can claim as a qualifying child and as a qualifying relative

For most taxpayers, claiming a dependent results in a fairly significant tax benefit, oftentimes a refund. But who exactly can you claim as a dependent?

There are actually two different categories of dependent: qualifying child and qualifying relative. Both have different requirements and are treated differently by the tax code. If a credit refers to a “dependent” either category qualifies, but if it refers specifically to a “qualifying child” then you cannot use a qualifying relative to claim it.

Qualifying child qualifications

In order to claim someone as your qualifying child, he or she must

  • Be your biological or adopted child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, half sibling, step sibling, or a descendant of one of these (more…)