< Back to IRS

Complex Tax Filing Questions: Married w/ 4 Kids but Living Separately - Need Help!

Need help with my tax situation. Im married with 4 kids but we lived completely separate for the whole year. My spouse and I havent lived together at all and im wondering how this affects claiming the kids and filing status. Really confused about what to do here

Jayden Hill

Tax pro here. This is a common situation. Your filing status options are Married Filing Separately or Married Filing Jointly. If you lived apart the entire year and maintained a home for your child(ren), you might qualify for Head of Household status which is usually more beneficial. For the kids, typically the custodial parent (who they lived with more than half the year) can claim them unless there's a written agreement stating otherwise.

0 coins

-

Isabella Tucker

thanks! what if we both had the kids equal amount of time?

0 coins

-

2M

Jayden Hill

In that case, IRS tiebreaker rules apply - usually goes to the parent with higher AGI

0 coins

-

2M

LordCommander

Hey you should try taxr.ai - its this new tool that analyzes your specific situation and gives you personalized advice. It costs $4.99 but seriously worth it for complicated situations like yours. https://taxr.ai

0 coins

-

Lucy Lam

Does it actually work? Seems kinda sketch ngl 🤔

0 coins

-

2M

LordCommander

100% legit! It analyzes your transcript and tells you exactly what you qualify for and potential issues. Saved me hours of research

0 coins

-

2M

Lucy Lam

Just tried it actually and WOW 🔥 this thing is incredible! Gave me so much detailed info about my situation

0 coins

-

2M

Aidan Hudson

im in the exact same boat rn! following for answers 👀

0 coins

-

Zoe Wang

Make sure you have documentation showing where kids lived throughout the year. IRS loves to audit these situations smh

0 coins

-

Isabella Tucker

what kind of documentation works best?

0 coins

-

2M

Zoe Wang

School records, medical records, daycare receipts - anything official showing addresses

0 coins

-

2M

Connor Richards

Bruh the IRS be making everything complicated af fr fr 🤡

0 coins

-

Grace Durand

fr tho 💯

0 coins

-

2M

Steven Adams

word of advice - get everything in writing with your spouse about who claims what. learned that one the hard way lol

0 coins

-

Isabella Tucker

oof good point. did you have issues?

0 coins

-

2M

Steven Adams

yea both tried claiming same kids. total nightmare with the IRS

0 coins

-

2M