Stimulus-Child-Divorce Situation
Hi Terry! Had you in as a speaker when I worked for Walgreens corporate; very informative!
I got divorced about 4 years ago and have a son who is now 11. I agreed to let his father claim him each year even though he makes twice what I do and I have our son most of the time (he has him Wednesdays and every other weekend).
I lost my job last year and after a few months of unemployment (which happened to land right between the additional payment periods and paid COBRA), I took a job with a 1/3 salary cut because it was all I could find.
That stimulus money would really help right now. I file head of household but since I don’t actually claim him I feel like I’m out of luck. And speaking with my ex is not an option; I am currently trying to get back child support from him and would have to take him to court for anything money-wise.
Do you have any ideas of what I can do in my situation?
Thank you!
Terry Says
I just posted this column that touches on this very subject at the end! You’ll see that there IS an option to get him to file a form transferring dependency for tax purposes. But like several women I spoke to, there is no chance of getting the ex to cooperate!
I’d be so angry I’d take out a full page ad or make a facebook post saying: My “ex” — David Smith — took our child as a dependent for tax purposes — but he makes too much money to qualify for the Child Tax Credit. If he would just transfer this dependency to me (not custody, but the ability to claim my son on taxes) by filing form 8332, I would get the $3,000 credit AND would get a much higher Earned Income Tax Credit. He doesn’t get either — but he is too mean and stubborn to do this. And I could REALLY use that money!!
At the least, it would embarrass him. And maybe you’ll start a movement to shame exes! Feel free to link to that column!!