Can you eFile your taxes with Form 8332 attached? How does that work?

You can absolutely eFile with Form 8332, but there's a specific process to follow. The IRS allows you to submit Form 8332 electronically with your return, but you'll need to keep the original signed physical form for your records. Most tax software (including TurboTax) will have you scan the signed Form 8332 and upload it as a PDF attachment to your electronic return. The software should prompt you for this attachment when you indicate you're claiming a dependent based on Form 8332. If your ex completed Part II (release for multiple years), you'll still need to include the form with each year's return, but you can use the same scanned document for future years. You don't need to get a new signature each time as long as the multi-year release covers the tax year you're filing for.

I went through the exact same situation last year when my ex and I started splitting our daughter on our taxes. I spent HOURS trying to figure this out and getting nowhere with tax software help sections. Finally found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which actually explained the whole process clearly for my situation. You upload your specific tax documents (in my case the Form 8332 my ex signed), and the system analyzes everything and walks you through exactly what to do with your specific tax software. It showed me where in TurboTax to upload the scanned 8332 form and how to properly report everything else related to my daughter. Saved me from having to paper file, which would've delayed my refund by months.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. It was super helpful for my situation with splitting dependents with my ex! I uploaded our custody agreement and the Form 8332, and it gave me step-by-step instructions for H&R Block software. The coolest part was that it caught that I needed to fill out an additional worksheet that I had totally missed in the software. I was able to successfully eFile with the Form 8332 attached as a PDF, and my return was accepted by the IRS within 24 hours. No need to paper file at all! Definitely using this again next year.

If anyone's still struggling to get through to the IRS about Form 8332 questions (like I was), I finally had success using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I spent literally 5+ hours on hold with the IRS trying to get clarification about some specific situation with my 8332 form that wasn't covered in their instructions. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. They basically navigate the IRS phone tree for you and call you back when they've got an agent on the line. The agent was super helpful and confirmed that I could indeed eFile with my situation.

Ok I need to eat crow here. After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try Claimyr for my Form 8332 question. I'm shocked to say it actually worked! Got a call back in about 40 minutes (not 20, but still WAY faster than my previous attempts). The IRS agent confirmed that I CAN efile with a scanned 8332 form as long as I keep the paper original, and also clarified that if my ex checked box 2 for multiple years, I still need to include the scan with each year's return but don't need a new signature. This was exactly what I needed to know and saved me from paper filing (which would have delayed my refund by months).

Just to add another data point - I've been eFiling with Form 8332 for 3 years now using FreeTaxUSA. My ex signed the multi-year release, and I scan and attach it each year. Never had any issues with the IRS questioning it. Just make sure the scan is clear and legible.

Quick question - if I paper filed the first year with the original Form 8332 (with my ex's signature for multiple years), can I eFile in subsequent years without attaching anything since the IRS already has the form on file?

Thanks for all the detailed responses everyone! This is exactly what I needed to know. I was worried I'd have to paper file and wait months for my refund, but it sounds like I can definitely eFile with the scanned 8332 form attached. Just to confirm my understanding: I get my ex to sign the physical Form 8332, scan it as a PDF, upload it through TurboTax when prompted, and keep the original for my records. The IRS will accept the electronic return with the scanned attachment. Does that sound right? Also, since my ex and I agreed she'll do the multi-year release (Part II), I assume she should check the box for all future odd years I'll be claiming our daughter, not just this current tax year?

I just went through this exact situation last month! You absolutely can eFile with Form 8332 attached - don't let anyone tell you that you have to paper file the whole return. Here's what worked for me: I had my ex sign the physical Form 8332 (she did Part II for multiple years like you're planning), then I scanned it as a high-quality PDF. In TurboTax, when I got to the dependent section and indicated I was claiming my son based on Form 8332, it automatically prompted me to upload the attachment. The whole process was pretty seamless. My return was accepted by the IRS within 48 hours, and I got my refund on the normal electronic timeline (about 2 weeks). I kept the original signed form in my tax files just in case of an audit. One thing to note - even though your ex is doing the multi-year release, you'll still need to attach that same scanned form every year you claim your daughter. The IRS wants to see the documentation with each return, but at least you won't need to bug your ex for a new signature each time!