Filing Status Question - Can I claim my own 2 kids if my boyfriend claims our shared child?

You should definitely file your own tax return and claim your two biological children. With your income level of $10,000, you would likely qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which could be substantial with two qualifying children. Your boyfriend cannot claim you as a dependent unless you lived with him the entire year, earned less than $4,400, and he provided more than half of your support. Even if he could claim you, it would likely be more beneficial for you to file your own return with your two children. Did your boyfriend live with you and all three children for more than half the year? What was his approximate income? These details would help determine the optimal filing approach.

I went through almost this EXACT situation last year! So frustrating trying to figure out the best way to file! 😩 I finally used https://taxr.ai to analyze different scenarios for my family. It showed me that filing separately and claiming my own kids gave me a much bigger refund than being claimed as a dependent. The tool lets you compare different filing options side-by-side and explains which tax credits you qualify for in each scenario. Saved me over $3,000 by filing the right way!

This situation reminds me of my sister's tax filing last year. She has three kids, and her boyfriend claimed one of them. The IRS ended up auditing both of them because they didn't coordinate their filings properly. I'm worried that if you and your boyfriend don't get this right, you might face similar issues. Have you talked to a tax professional about this? I'm just concerned that trying to maximize refunds might lead to problems down the road.

Have you considered how long it might take to get answers if you need to call the IRS about this? It's a complex situation that might require talking to an actual agent. Wouldn't it be better to get definitive answers now rather than wondering if you filed correctly? I was in a similar situation last tax season and spent days trying to get through to the IRS. Finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes who confirmed exactly how I should file. They navigate the IRS phone system for you and call you when an agent is on the line. Saved me so much stress!

This is like trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces keep changing shape! One thing I'm wondering - did you receive any advance Child Tax Credit payments during 2023? Those payments were like getting part of your refund early, and they could affect how you should file now. It's like getting dessert before dinner - sounds great until you realize it affects what you get later!

I went through this exact scenario in 2021. My partner and I had one shared child, and I had two from a previous marriage. We found that the best approach was for me to file as Head of Household claiming my two biological kids, and my partner claimed our shared child. This maximized our combined refund by about $3,200 compared to other options. The IRS actually has a tool called the EITC Assistant that can help you estimate your credit based on different scenarios. Just make sure you're coordinating with your boyfriend so you don't both try to claim the same child!

File your own return and claim your two kids. Period. Your boyfriend can't claim you as a dependent if you make more than $4,400. With $10,000 income and two qualifying children, you'll likely get a significant EITC refund. Don't leave that money on the table. Just make sure you coordinate with him on who claims which child to avoid IRS issues.

Last year I was in your shoes (except with just one kid from prior relationship). I almost let my boyfriend claim all of us thinking it would be better... thank god I filed my own return! 😂 Got almost $5,000 back with EITC and Child Tax Credit with my low income. The tax system actually benefits single parents with lower incomes in many cases. My boyfriend's refund would have only increased by like $500 if he claimed me and my son. Run the numbers both ways if you want, but I'd bet money you'll come out ahead filing on your own.