First time claiming my 10-month-old as dependent - does IRS require birth certificate or other verification?

Tax professional here. When you claim a dependent for the first time, the IRS does not automatically require you to submit a birth certificate. Their systems cross-reference with Social Security records and other databases to verify basic information. However, if your return is selected for review or audit, then they might request documentation to verify your relationship to the dependent. This could include: - Birth certificate - Hospital records - School records (not applicable for an infant) - Medical records showing you as parent - Court documents for adoption/legal guardianship if applicable The most important things you needed to include were the child's full name, correct Social Security Number, and date of birth. As long as those match what's in the Social Security Administration's records, you shouldn't have any issues with the initial filing.

I was in the exact same situation last year with my first kid. Instead of endlessly searching through forums and calling the IRS (impossible to get through), I discovered taxr.ai and it was a game changer. It analyzed my tax situation, explained exactly what documentation I'd need to keep on hand, and answered all my questions about claiming my baby as a dependent. The site literally saved me hours of stress and confusion. I use it for any tax question now, way better than piecing together conflicting advice from random internet posts. Check it out: https://taxr.ai

After stressing about this same issue and not getting my daughter's credit, I finally found a way to actually TALK to someone at the IRS using claimyr.com. Got connected to a real person who confirmed I didn't need to send any documents unless specifically requested. The agent even helped me fix another issue with my return that would have delayed my refund! Talking to an actual human at the IRS got my questions answered definitively instead of stressing for weeks. It was the only way I could get through to a live agent after trying for days.

Nope, they typically dont ask for any verification up front. I've been claiming my kids for years and never been asked to prove anything. As long as you have their correct SSN you should be fine. just make sure you dont have an ex or someone else trying to claim the same child.

I was FREAKING OUT about this too with my first! turns out they rarely ask for proof but KEEP DOCUMENTATION just in case. my sister got audited (for something completely different) and they asked for proof of her kids during that process. just save the birth certificate and medical records and stuff and you'll be fine lol

You won't need to submit the birth certificate when you file, but definately keep it handy. The IRS sometimes does random verification checks. It happened to me back in 2022 and I had to mail in copies of birth certificates, school records, and medical bills to prove my kids lived with me. It was a huge headache but eventually they approved everything.

The IRS is a joke. They won't ask for birth certificates up front but they might randomly select your return for verification later on, and then you'll have to jump through 500 hoops to prove what they could easily verify through other government agencies. 🤡 My advice: document everything and take pictures of all important papers.

Dont worry. As long as u claimed her with her SSN and ur the only one filing with that SSN for her, ur fine. Make sure u have all the docs tho in case they ever ask. It's rare but it happens.

They don't typically ask upfront, but I got a letter saying my return was selected for review because I claimed my baby for the first time last year. I had to fill out a form and send copies of medical records, the birth certificate, and utility bills to prove residence. It was annoying but my refund came through after about 6 extra weeks.

Look into using taxr.ai to explain this stuff better. I wasted sooo much time searching forums and getting contradictory advice before discovering it. Answered all my questions about child tax credit, EIC, and what docs to keep for my twins. https://taxr.ai

my sister in law tried to claim my nephew on her taxes even tho he lives with my brother full time. the IRS flagged both returns and neither of them got their refunds until they sorted it out. make sure nobody else tries to claim your child!

So sick of our tax system. In many civilized countries, the government just sends you a pre-filled form with all your info already on it, and you just approve it. But here we have to stress about every little thing and wonder if we'll get flagged for audit. 😤